FIELD MEETINGS FOR 1909 1 79 



kindly guidance the old Manor House was visited : in the 

 kitchen to the left of the fireplace interest centred in the 

 wheel of a turnspit well preserved in its original place. 



In the mature old gardens was a prolific growth of barberry 

 bushes in bloom : a magnificent specimen of the cedar of 

 Lebanon ; also a medlar, a tree rarely found so far north. 

 It was hoped that the bullfinch, which nests at Mitford, might 

 be seen, but though we were disappointed in this respect, Mr. 

 Macleod told us that they had already arrived and were 

 vigorously attacking his gooseberry buds. 



He then led us up the slope and briefly sketched the history 

 of the Castle, which is now a mere shell. We then took the 

 footpath homeward along the south bank of the Wansbeck, 

 and in the fringing woods found the primrose, moschatel, 

 goldilocks, and anemone in profusion. On reaching the crest 

 of the hill, the ever-welcome note of the cuckoo was heard ; 

 and the nest of a spotted flycatcher containing three eggs was 

 found, ingeniously wedged into the angle formed near the base 

 of an oak tree by the bole and a small wicket-gate swinging 

 upon it. We devoutly hoped the birds might be allowed to 

 hatch and rear their young, though as the gate was on the 

 direct path, we rather doubted it. In the Borough woods the 

 garlic was growing plentifully, though not in flower. An old 

 weir, almost dry, afforded a home for the marshmarigold, 

 which spread its golden petals to the sun ; and in it the horse- 

 tail shewing the terminal fruit was also abundant. On the 

 banks of boulder clay the recently planted larches, spruces, 

 and Scotch firs showed vigorous growth. 



Down by the river, a solitary kingfisher was seen flashing in 

 his brilliant dress of green, blue and chestnut ; while the water 

 ousels were dipping their white waistcoats at the edge of the 

 stream, and the distinctive cry of the sandpiper was heard. 



Near this spot a member of a comparatively little-known 

 family of centipedes was discovered : a monograph upon which 

 has been published in the Transactions, vol. hi., part 2, 

 p. 462. 



