176 president's address. 



The party then returned to the Phoenix Inn, where a modest 

 repast was highly enjoyed. 



The return train was caught at 6.46 p.m., reaching New- 

 castle about 9.0 p.m., when the party separated, well satisfied 

 they had been so agreeably surprised with the weather con- 

 ditions. 



The Second Field Meeting of the Club was fixed for 

 the Fame Islands on the 20th of June. The morning broke 

 with that clear liquid sunshine which is generally an indica- 

 tion of rain. Some members resident out of Newcastle 

 manifested their interest by rising at four o'clock in order to 

 catch the earlier train to Seahouses. The greater number, 

 however, assembled in the Central Station, and starting by the 

 8.20 a.m. train, reached Seahouses about 10.40 a.m. A short 

 stay was made at Mrs. Cuthbertson's Inn, in order that some 

 members of the party who had had a hurried breakfast might 

 have luncheon before crossing to the Islands. 



The weather, which had been dull and threatening on the 

 journey, now improved, and Bamburgh and Holy Island 

 Castles were prominent features in the landscape. 



Two cobles conveyed the party to the Islands. A doubt 

 was expressed by the crews as to the prudence of proceeding 

 to the Megstone, having regard to the state of the sea, but I 

 saw nothing to prevent a landing, and my views proved to be 

 correct, as the gut on the north when reached had scarcely a 

 ripple upon it. In sailing across, numerous Cormorants, 

 Eiders, and Puffins were observed skimming over or resting 

 on the sea. Our boatmen mentioned several whales had been 

 observed this year, and from the description they gave us I 

 gathered these must have been the Pilot Whale or Bottle 

 Nose ( Globicephalus sniveval). The Grey Seal ( Halyctiaerus 

 gryphus) breeds on the Crumstone, and the Common Seal 

 (Phoca vitulina) is not uncommonly seen amongst the 

 Islands. 



As we neared the white topped crest of the Megstone, 

 Arctic or Common Terns and Kittiwakes were observed in 



