EEPORT OF FIELD MEETINGS. 263 



the train to Lamesley. The morning had been wet and 

 threatening, and the afternoon was close and sultry as if 

 thunder was not far distant. But in spite of the threatening 

 outlook, a fair number of members turned up, the party 

 numbering 18 or 20. A leisurely walk of about half an hour 

 brought us to the main entrance to the castle, where we were 

 met by a guide and conducted to the gardens. These are 

 extensive and well kept, but there was nothing of very special 

 interest to note by the naturalists. An extensive and elaborate 

 system of heated walls for the cultivation of outdoor fruits 

 would appeal more to practical gardeners than to the members 

 of a Natural History Society. Some very fine trees were 

 observed in the grounds, especially one specimen of a beech 

 with a very fine spread of branches. There was also a beauti- 

 ful specimen of a weeping holly ; but by far the most interest- 

 ing object seen was one of the Himalayan rhododendrons 

 (R. Thomsonii), growing in a sheltered position, and covered 

 with an abundance of crimson blossoms, resembhng the 

 flowers of Lapageria rosea in colour and texture. The bark 

 of trunk and branches was of a whitish colour, and contrasted 

 well with the dark foliage and brilliant blossoms. 



Among the birds noticed were a number of the summer 

 migrants, some of which had been already in the district for 

 several weeks. The Willow Wren, Wood Wren, Chiff-chaff, 

 Redstart, Tree Pipit, and Cuckoo were all heard in song ; the 

 Blackcap and Garden Warbler would doubtless also have been 

 heard but for the overcast and sultry nature of the afternoon. 

 Of the Chiff-chaflF, two were heard ; a fact worth noticing in 

 this district, where the scarcity of the species in comparison 

 with its numbers in other parts of the country is difficult to 

 account for. Several Wild Ducks were seen flying round ; and 

 in some of the smaller copses the noisy chatter of the Lesser 

 Redpole was heard. 



Many of the spring flowers were in full blossom ; among the 

 most conspicuous of these being Ranunculus Ficaria, Anemone 

 nemorosa, Caltha palusfris, Cardamine pratensis, Viola cantna, 

 Stellaria Jlolostea, Ulex europceus, Prunus Cerasus, Fragaria 



