1906. 
Proceedings of Irish Societies. 
187 
time spent in the exploration of the demesne. The long two-mile stretch 
from the entrance to the point where the River IVIain debouches into 
Lough Nengh, at I\Iain-water-foot, was much adnnred ; and the groves 
and river banks proved good collecting grounds. On arrival at the im- 
pressive ruins of the old ancestral castle of the O'Neills, destroyed by 
fire in 1816, and never rebuilt, the Rev. W. S. Smith, of Antrim, a Club 
member, gave a brief account of the history of the castle and of the 
O'Neills. The party subsequently walked into Antrim, where they met 
for tea. . A short business meeting was afterw^ards held. The members 
returned to town by the 7.52 p.m. train from Antrim. The following 
plants were noted during the afternoon: — Thalictrum flavwn. Ranunculus 
penicillatus, Sisymbrium Alliaria, Viola canina, Arenaria trinervis, Sedum Tele- 
phium, Galium boreale, Lycopus europieus, Scutellaria galeticulala, Laviium 
album, Neottia Nidus-avis, Briza media, and Sisyrinchium ajigustifolium. The 
last, considered a doubtful native, has not hitherto been recorded from 
Shane's Castle, although included in the flora of a few other Irish coun- 
ties. The ornithologists observed forty-eight species of birds during the 
day. A single Kingfisher was seen on the river. The Dipper was also 
seen, besides a Grey Wagtail and a pair of Common Sandpipers. A large 
family of Long-tailed Tits and a, Tree-c.reeper were busily engaged in 
searching the same tree for insect food. Of course Lough Neagh afforded 
an opportunity of seeing some interesting birds. Nine adult Great 
Crested Grebes w^ere seen together not far from the shore, and many 
Tufted DuckSy evidently breeding, resented the invasion of their ground. 
Mallards were common, while a male Red-breasted Merganser, accom- 
panied by two females, gave rise to interesting speculations as to where 
they might be breeding. Black-headed, Gulls were very numerous on 
the lake, and two other species of .gulls were seen, while Common Terns 
were fairly abundant. , Sandpipers fluttered about the shingle, and a 
beautiful nest with four eggs was found. A single Cormorant was seen, 
and of course innumerable Cootp. crocked at the intruders and hastened 
to hide their young. 
OMAGH NATURALISTS' FIELD CLUB. 
May 17. — The first ramble of this Club took place in inclement weather. 
Mountfield demesne, on the side of MuUacaru Mountain, was visited, and 
something was learnt of its flora and fauna. 
May 31. — The Club, under the leadership of P. G. Dai;I.inger, visited 
Tattynure Wood, on the right bank of the Strule, midway between 
Omagh and Newtownstewart. Botany was the chief study : many of the 
ordinary species were found, but nothing new. 
June 21. — A number of the members visited Rossnowlagh (Donegal 
Bay). The day was rather wet and gloomy, nevertheless some flower 
photography was accomplished, and the Sea-Devil or Angel Fish {Rhina 
squatina), whose ugliness, like the bull-dog's, is his beauty, had his features 
under the lens. The Wheatear and Black Guillemot were the only birds 
noticed out of the ordinary. 
