416 president's address. 



where a substantial tea, a frugal meal, awaited the now hungry 

 party at the Old Boathouse Inn. The Sheriff of Newcastle, 

 Mr. George Harkus, presided, and congratulated the members 

 present on the successful celebration of the Club's Jubilee. The 

 Members had done it well that day by following in the footsteps 

 of their predecessors, and observing and maintaining their wise 

 and pleasant ways. 



The Second Field Meeting was held at Bamburgh, on Friday, 

 June 12th, with the intention of visiting the Fame Islands if 

 the weather permitted. Many of the party proceeded to Bam- 

 burgh on Thursday afternoon, and spent the evening in a pleas- 

 ant ramble around this charming seaside village, admiring the 

 extensive restorations which are being carried out by Lord Arm- 

 strong, and afterwards visiting the churchyard and memorial 

 tomb of Grace Darling. Numerous specimens of the Cinnabar 

 Moth were observed during the evening walk, which was in- 

 tensely enjoyed by all present. 



On Friday morning the party, increased by fresh arrivals, 

 drove to Sea Houses, where they found the good coble Triumph 

 and a sturdy crew awaiting their arrival. Bright sunshine, a 

 smooth sea, and a favourable southerly breeze bore them pleas- 

 antly to the Megstone, where they fortunately were able to 

 land, as this can be done only at low water. This rock is also 

 known as the Cormorant's Island, and it was a curious and in- 

 teresting sight to see more than one hundred and fifty of these 

 long-necked, long-billed Birds sitting bolt upright on their nests, 

 while a few were sunning their wide-stretched wings, spread- 

 eagle fashion. As the first colony of nests were approached, 

 their owners quickly sought refuge on the sea, but the greater 

 number separated from the intruders by only a narrow channel, 

 and seemingly conscious of perfect security, twisting their necks 

 this way and that, looked down on the visitors with quiet won- 

 der. The nests are flat structures of coarse seaweed about two 

 feet across and eight or nine inches deep, containing from two 

 to five eggs, or in a few instances newly-hatched young^most 

 repulsive looking little objects, suggesting a long-necked, long- 



