REPORT OF FIELD MEETINGS 155 



a great profusion of wild flowers of early summer were much 

 admired. Beyond this the pine wood was entered, in which 

 the remainder of the time at the party's disposal was spent in 

 studying the numerous large, conical-shaped hills of the Wood 

 Ant. These peaceful mounds, composed chiefly of the needle- 

 shaped leaves, pieces of cones, and fragments of bark from 

 the fir trees predominating in the wood, form immense colonies 

 of these busy ants. To the entomologist, however, the interest 

 lies mainly in the number of other kinds of insects, both 

 friends and foes, which either live in or about the ant homes. 

 Beetles, flies, woodlice, and spiders were observed, and a 

 worm-like creature was often seen in the walls where the 

 formic acid was strongest and most pungent. 



The following birds were noticed during the ramble : — 

 Curlew, Sandpiper, Dipper, Cuckoo, Ring Dove, Missel 

 Thrush, Blackcap, Greater and Lesser Whitethroats, Golden 

 Crested and Wood Wrens, Tree Pipit, Blue Titmouse, Song 

 Thrush and Blackbird. 



Amongst the wild flowers the following were recorded : — 

 Red Campion, White Campion, Garlic Mustard, Cranesbill, 

 Wood Geranium, Greater Stitchwort, Hop Trefoil, Bird's-foot 

 Trefoil, Wild Strawberry, Water Avens, Herb-Bennett, Wood 

 Forget-me-not, Germander Speedwell, Spiked Speedwell, 

 Lady's Mantle, Bugle, Sheep's Sorrel, Wild Hyacinth, 

 Ramsons, Wild Chervil, Bush Vetch, Slender Vetch and 

 Bitter Vetch, Cow-wheat and Silver Weed. 



After partaking of refreshments at the Abbey Hotel, Hexham, 

 a paper on " Ant Homes " was read by Mr. Richard Bagnall, 

 F.E.S., of Winlaton. 



Third Field Meeting at Naworth on the 27TH June 



A very large party of ladies and gentlemen left the Central 

 Station by the 10.25 ^•"^- train for Naworth. 



On detraining, the party, having obtained permission to 

 visit Naworth Castle, proceeded at once to this historic and 

 ancestral stronghold of the Dacres and afterwards the Howards. 



