REPORT OF THE MEETINGS FOR 1896 47 



the gardener stated that both the Green and Great Spotted 

 Woodpeckers are occasionally observed. Mr Morton has seen 

 the Kingfisher on the Waren, but the banks of that stream 

 are too rocky to suit the bird. 



On the Mansion itself important alterations and improvements 

 were being made, which the members had an opportunity of 

 inspecting. A new porch had been erected over the principal 

 entrance, and the back of the structure was being remodelled. 



Before leaving Twizel House, the President briefly thanked 

 Mr Morton, on behalf of the Club, for his kindness in not only 

 throwing open his beautiful grounds to the members, but in 

 personally conducting the party over them. In doing so he had 

 conferred a special privilege on the Club, by affording them an 

 opportunity of paying a tribute to the memory of the late Mr 

 Selby, who was at one time proprietor of the estate. Mr Selby 

 was one of the founders of the Berwickshire Naturalists' Club, 

 had formerly occupied the presidential chair, and was a frequent 

 and valued contributor to its Proceedings. His scientific 

 eminence was acknowledged on all hands. Much of his life- 

 work was devoted to the embellishment of Twizel, and the 

 magnificent trees they had seen that day were, most of them, 

 planted by his hands. They were, therefore, very deeply 

 indebted to Mr Morton for the courtesy he had shown them 

 and they hoped that he would be long spared to enjoy 

 his beautiful residence, and to see the completion of the 

 important improvements he was carrying out with such skill 

 and taste on all sides. 



Mr Morton, in reply, expressed his gratification at the visit 

 of the Club, and the hope that on some future occasion he 

 might have the pleasure of showing the members the com- 

 pleted improvements. 



The party quitted the grounds by the old lodge, and pro- 

 ceeded to Belford, passing Adderstone and the well-known 

 " Purdy's Shop," where lived the blacksmith who accompanied 

 Dorothy Foster in her adventurous journey to London. On 

 arriving at Belford, the party had dinner in the Blue Bell 

 Hotel. The President, Mr J. Ferguson, F.S.A. (Scot.) Duns, 

 occupied the chair. The other members present were Kev. 

 George Gunn, M.A., Stichill, Rev. Dr Paul, Roxburgh, Eev. E. 

 Arkless, Earsdon, Newcastle, Rev. Dr Steel, Neworth, Rev. 

 John Walker, Whalton Rectory, Mr Charles S, Romanes. 



