president's address. 173 



Promptly Lord Decies had granted leave to go over his house, 

 but most found the little lakelet and island more attractive. 

 There the rooks had Justified their name by robbing two ducks' 

 nests, but we saw one with nine eggs belonging to a Caroline 

 Summer-Duck, and another of a hybrid, half Mallard, half Call 

 Crested-Duck, The pond is wired for protection against the 

 foxes. 



The scanty remnants of the Castle, close by, and the surround- 

 ing British earthworks next got limited attention, as we all 

 made our way to the artificial Bolam lake, once bog, and its 

 adjoining heronry. The keeper, Mr. White, conducted us, to 

 the evident alarm and annoyance of the parent-birds, to the four 

 nests, all that remain of fourteen, last year, in the heronry ; 

 perhaps in consequence of the exceptionally long and severe 

 winter just ended. Some carefully inspected a cart load of 

 sticks, once a heron's nest ; another, and yet another, for the 

 trees carrying them had been felled. 



A second British camp on State Hill drew the attention of 

 some, and after the lightest of light refreshments, we reluctantly 

 left Bolam for Meldon, some diverging to visit Gallowhill Hall, 

 suggestive of the fate of mosstroopers (when caught), but most 

 making for the "Pox and Hounds," as hungry as hunters. 



By the kindness of Mr. Clayton Swan, Meldon House and 

 gardens were enjoyed under Mr. Finlay's guidance, who also 

 exhibited his unrivalled private collection of Moths and Buttei'- 

 flies, which deserved more attention than we could give. A 

 scramble back to Meldon Station, and Morpeth reached, the 

 " Black Bull" did as little for its reputation, as Mr. Hopper did 

 much, in opening his fern and orchid houses to the party, and 

 so ended a most enjoyable if somewhat fatiguing day. It was 

 a Naturalists' day ; the Botanists got little out of the common, 

 save a few bog plants ; but all got abundant sunshine, fresh air, 

 exercise, fine views and genial company. 



Second Meeting, Tuesday, 1 8th June. A very early train to 

 Gilsland and a wet morning, so only eight sat down to breakfast 

 at the Shaws' Hotel, Armed with umbrellas and mackintoshes 



1 



