1903. 299 



NOTES, 



ZOOLOGY. 



The Pine-bud Moth. 



Much damage has been done to young Scotch Pines about here during 

 the last few years by the Pine-bud Moth. The leader is usually attacked, 

 and when it has attained a length of four or five inches it suddenly 

 droops and dies. On examination the larva will be found feeding on the 

 shoot. The larva enter the chrysalis stage early in July, and the perfect 

 insect emerges towards the end of the month. 



There are, I believe, two species of moths to which the above name is 

 given, but some I have lately succeeded in hatching out have been 

 kindly identified by Mr. G. H. Carpenter as Retinia buoliana. The ou\y 

 previous record of this moth in Ireland is Mr. C. W. Watts' from Belfast. 

 This moth is sometimes called the " Larch Tortrix," but it confines its 

 unwelcome attentions here entirely to the Scotch Pine. I have never 

 seen it on a Larch. 



Denis R. Pack-Beresford. 



Fenagh House, Bagnalstown. 



Involuntary Capture of a Swallow. 



The following is a cutting from the IVaterford Standard^ May 16, 



1903 :— 



'' A Strange Occurrence. 

 "Mr. Frank Davis Goff, of Rockmount, Kilmacthomas, had, on. 

 Monday last a new, if not an absolutely unique experience while fishing 

 on the Tay, a stream that runs from the Comeragh Mountains. While 

 walking along the bank, with his rod in an upright position, and the 

 casting line flying in the breeze, he felt a weight somewhat like that of a 

 trout, and on looking up to ascertain the cause, he was amazed to see a 

 swallow dangling from the tail-fly, the bird doubtless mistaking the 

 artificial fly for the natural one. He at once reeled in the line, and 

 gently taking off" the bird, let it off, and it flew away apparently none 

 the worse for its mistake. Can any of our readers relate a similar 



incident ?" 



I cannot find in any of the text-books that I have on British Birds ^ 

 or in the pages of the Zoologist for the last twenty-five years, any account 

 of a similar capture, though I have often thought that such an occur- 

 rence was quite possible. Mr. B. F. Bisshop relates {Zool. 1886, p. 417) 

 that while fishing once for Tench, three Swallows perched on his rod 

 at one time, but this was apparently while it was fastened into the 

 ground and stationary. The capture of a Swallow by an artificial fly 

 must be very unusual. It seems strange that a bird with such a sharp 



eye could be deceived. 



WiiviviAM W. Fi^emyng. 



Coolfin, Portlaw, Co. Waterford, 



