FIELD MEETINGS FOR I915 203 



We now made our way througli the fields to the banks of 

 the Coquet, beloved of anglers. In a copse that we passed 

 through a squirrel was seen, and we caught sight of two king- 

 fishers up the course of a brook. A halt was made for lunch, 

 after which a short walk brought us to Felton. Here, by kind 

 permission of Sir R. Lord, we entered the grounds of Felton 

 Park. On the way up the avenue of stately trees we stopped 

 to examine the church of St. Michael, one of the party giving 

 its history and explaining its altered outline. Making our 

 way through the park in front of the Hall we entered the 

 woods which here clothe both banks of the Coquet. Fine beech 

 trees were a notable feature of these woods. A pleasant hour 

 was spent wandering about, here and there catching a glimpse 

 of the river below. After tea at Felton we returned leisurely 

 to Acklington by the samiC path that we had followed in the 

 morning. 



Some time was spent by the entomologists at this meeting 

 in the examination of galls caused by various insects, a study 

 which has not received much attention from local naturalists. 

 Galls caused by midges {^Cecidomyidce) were found on the ash, 

 hawthorn, rose, meadowsweet, bracken and different species 

 of willows ; galls caused by mites on birch, alder and willow ; 

 and other mites were associated with witches' brooms. The 

 pineapple-like galls caused by Chermes abietis on spruce were 

 very noticeable. Thrips were taken from elm, pine and alder. 

 Various species of froghoppers were also taken. 



On July 31st a Special Meeting for Younger Members 

 was held at Lockhaugh, near Rowlands Gill. A most 

 interesting afternoon was spent in the large marshy haugh by 

 the river. Here botanists had a very good time, one young 

 lady finding no less than 64 different flowers. Some meadow 

 brown and green-veined white butterflies kept another young 

 enthusiast busy with his net. After tea there was an 

 examination of and general discussion on the various specimens 

 collected. 



