Viewing page 58 of 184

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

112.

23rd Oct 1938. 

One of the most perfect days of the year, but following two almost continuously wet ones.  Therefore vegetation &  ground dripping & soaking wet.  Sun from 8AM to 5P.M, except for early mist, which cleared over hills much earlier than over the plain.

Drove to Athdown via Shankill camp;  stopped on highest point of the road S. of camp (11.30 AM.) & walked up W. face of Seefin (2034 ft), inspected the cairn which was examined by Prof. R.A.S. Macalister a few years ago.  Walked across summit & down N.E. slope to head of the "ruddy gash" which drains the coll between Seefin & Seefingan.

Then back to car, where had lunch & got almost scorched by sun, in spite of pleasant N.W. breeze.  Later drove to Kippure Lodge & did a ver little sweeping;  but leaves nearly off birth & ground vegetation scanty & very wet.  Insects, however, plentiful on oak, &c., but Stenomacrus ventralis too common & a nuisance.


113.

23.10.38 cont.
W. slope of Seefin, Co. WI.

1 [[female symbol]] taken with sucker at about 1800 ft.
Ichneumon sp.?  1 [[female symbol]] seen by roadside, but escaped.  Size of I. confusorius.
Bombus sp. seen by M.&S. & heard by A.W.S. on roadside.
Psithyrus campestris v. rossiellus  1 very fine fresh [[female symbol]] seen by roadside.
Vespa vulgaris:  watched [[female symbol]] investigating scree on slope at about 1700, evidently with the intention of hibernating.

Peacock Butterfly.  One very worn basking in sun on cairn on summit of Seefin;  another much fresher seen on slope at about 1,600 ft. on return journey.

Birds very numerous above road to 1,500 or more:  mostly Meadow Pipits & Wheatears, the latter very tame.  A Raven spent day on hill & annoyed when disturbed.  Also saw Stonechat sunning himself ([[male symbol]]) on rock below road.