40 



[Proc. B.N.F.C, 



young Wheatears and Stonechats were seen, and the very 

 light-coloured young Pied Wagtails formed a marked contrast to 

 the dark rocks. Oyster-catchers were conspicuous and common. 

 A single Gannet was seen fishing off the shore about a mile out. 

 Strangely enough the only Herons seen were three in an inland 

 bog. Only two species of Gulls were observed, and the only 

 remnant of the huge army of summer visitants consisted of a few 

 Swallows, House Martins, and Sand Martins. 



Among the plants observed were the grass of Parnassus — 

 Parnassia palustris — in flower ; the Sea Spleenwort, Asplenium 

 marinum, and the Crowberry, Rmpetrum nigrum. One member 

 picked up on the shore a seed pod, round and about the size of a 

 penny, an interesting waif carried to our coast by the Gulf stream 

 from the West Indies. Among the shells found on the sand 

 dunes were the two Xerophile species — Helix acuta and H. 

 virgata. 



The party left Ballycastle by the 5-45 train, arriving in 

 Belfast at 8-35, tired but happy. 





