128 Anniversary Address. 



pointment, with Mr. Broderick on the higher and more open 

 ground, to witness the flight of his falcons. One partridge these 

 falcons succeeded in killing ; but grouse appearing shy, and the 

 partridges seeking the safe covert of the turnip fields, a pigeon 

 was let off, and was pursued by the two falcons ; but the evolu- 

 tions of the poor bird were so rapid and sure, that it escaped the 

 fate so constantly hanging over it, and found in a corn rick a 

 secure shelter. Two merlins were then tried at larks; but 

 having been accustomed only to fly at blackbirds and thrushes, 

 they soon gave up the toilsome pursuit • and the shrill lark not 

 long afterwards carolled high and safe from his aerial tower. At 

 dinner, the Club was joined by the Rev. H. Parker and his son. 

 Though no new facts in natural history were noticed at this 

 Meeting, the day nevertheless was pleasantly spent. The neigh- 

 bourhood is interesting to the archaeologist, the geologist, and the 

 botanist. Bamburgh Castle, with its historical associations, is 

 not far distant. Budle schists are near, filled with rare and beau- 

 tiful remains of fossil plants and animals belonging to the car- 

 boniferous sera ; and the basaltic columns of Spindlestone are 

 but a short way off, with a remarkable assemblage of rare living 

 plants, among which is Allium Schcenaprasum, recently discovered 

 there by Mr. William Richardson of Alnwick. 



The Meeting at Ford was held on the 11th of May ; and not- 

 withstanding the beauty and interest of the locality, the number 

 attending was small, owing probably to the unfavourable state 

 of the morning. There were present, — Dr. Johnston, Mr. Selby, 

 the Rev. J. D. Clark, the Rev. G. Walker, the Rev. W. Darnell, 

 and the Rev. S. A. Fyler. The notes of the Secretary state 

 "that the Club first visited the parish church, to examine the 

 improvements which are being made on the venerable structure, 

 and which promise to make it one of the most becoming for its 

 sacred purpose of any in the district. The Members then walked 

 to Routin Linn, a distance of about three miles, to see some sin- 

 gular circular markings, which are cut on the scalp of an exposed 

 sandstone rock, and which have recently excited a good deal of 

 interest amongst antiquaries. The rock was readily found; but 

 it was not so easily decided by whom, and for what purpose, the 

 engravings were made. I must leave this question to the Pre- 

 sident's decision." 



