354 [Proc. B.N.F.C, 



red-breasted merganser, a fine bird of the duck family, had been 

 observed flying from the island as the party approached, and the 

 circumstance led to a close search among the rank grass and 

 weeds, which resulted in the discovery of no fewer than six 

 mergansers' nests, lined with grass and feathers, and most of 

 them containing the complement of seven or eight large 

 yellowish eggs. Not only were the nests discovered, but one of 

 the birds was caught ere it could leave the nest, and in spite of 

 its energetic protests and expostulations had to undergo the 

 scrutiny and comments of the majority of the party. However, 

 preservation and not destruction being the watchword of the 

 Club, neither bird nor eggs were harmed. Some dotterel were 

 observed along the pebbly margin of the lough, where they un- 

 doubtedly had their nests, and a few terns were flying around, 

 stragglers from the islands further northward, where they breed 

 in large numbers. The geologists also found food for reflection 

 on the stony beach, where it was observed that a large percen- 

 tage of the pebbles were composed of reddish Carboniferous 

 Limestone, such as only occurs in situ in the district at Castle- 

 Espie, near Comber, some ten miles to the northward. These 

 numerous fragments are derived from the Boulder Clay, and 

 show the direction in which the great ice currents set during 

 the bygone period of arctic conditions known as the Glacial 

 Epoch. Many of the limestone pebbles were riddled with the 

 tunnels of a boring shell [Saxicava rugosa), of which some 

 examples were obtained. Other marine trophies found were 

 specimens of a fine sea urchin {Echinus sphcera), and the 

 formidable jaw of a large fishing-frog or sea-devil {Lophius 

 piscatorius). An interesting and profitable hour having been 

 spent on the island, which to the uninitiated would appear a 

 mere barren, weed-covered wilderness, the secretary's whistle 

 called the party together, and, re-embarking, a pleasant and 

 rapid sail brought the party back to Killyleagh, where the 

 vehicles were once more mounted, and, passing through the 

 beautiful and thriving village of Shrigley, Clay Lake (Lough 

 Claith, the Lough of the Hurdles) was soon reached. 



