108 [Proc. B.N F.C.. 



persecuted by gamekeepers, whose " museums " always contain 

 a fair percentage of this species. No doubt the kestrel suffers 

 owing to the depredations of the sparrow-hawk, a bird which 

 will levy severe blackmail off a flock of young pheasants, so 

 that it has become an axiom with gamekeepers to destroy 

 every bird bearing a resemblance to a hawk, even owls — birds 

 which, like the kestrel, subsist on mice, frogs, and beetles — 

 sharing the same fate, while in the game interest they should 

 be protected. Along the shore we may observe the following 

 birds : — Wheatear, pied and grey wagtails, curlew, heron, red- 

 shank, oyster-catcher, ringed plover, common and arctic terns, 

 gannet, razorbill, red-throated diver, lesser black-backed, com- 

 mon, herring, and black-headed gulls, the last-named being 

 by far the most plentiful. Zoologist, geologist, archaeologist, 

 and botanist will find plenty to interest them in this region. 



The paper was illustrated by thirty-five lantern slides, 

 most of which were from photographs by Mr. R. Welch. At the 

 conclusion of the paper remarks and criticisms were made by 

 Messrs. Cunningham, Dickson, Welch, and Gray. The Presi- 

 dent brought before the meeting the desirability of all the 

 members of the Club joining and becoming members of the 

 Ulster Fisheries and Biology Association. This new society 

 proposed to follow out a programme that is quite in harmony 

 with the work of the Field Club, and offers many facilities to 

 its members in the matter of special rates for hotel and rail- 

 way travelling, special facilities for pursuing dredging opera- 

 tions in their steam launch, and advice and assistance in 

 research in the Society's Marine Laboratory, under the direc- 

 tion and guidance of Professor G-regg Wilson. The Secretary 

 of the new Association is Mr. Robert Patterson, Malone Park, 

 who will give any particulars required, and who will be glad 

 to receive the names of new members. The " Irish Naturalist" 

 proposes to extend its interest by appointing a Northern 

 Editor, Mr. Robert Patterson, who will be glad to receive short 

 notes and records or articles dealing with the North of Ire- 

 land. The election of new members terminated the meeting. 



