Mr. F. McCoy's Contributions to the Fauna of Ireland, 27 \ 



is really a common species, I cannot say; I can only state the oc- 

 currence of the species, and so add it to the list of Irish animals, 



AVES. 



Tringarufescens, Buff-breasted Sandpiper. — A specimen of this 

 rare bird, shot by J. Hill, Esq. near the Pigeon House, Dublin, 

 is preserved in the Museum of the Natural-History Society of 

 Dublin. The specimen is in the same plumage as those described 

 by Mr. Yarrell ; the markings on the under side of the wings are 

 very beautiful. The specimen noticed is the only Irish one I am 

 aware of. 



Sterna leucoptera (Temm.). — A specimen of this beautiful tern 

 was shot by J. Hill, Esq. on the Shannon in 1841, in company 

 with the black tern [S. nigra), with which it was confounded ; the 

 specimen was sent along with one of the latter species to the Na- 

 tural-History Society of Dublin, in whose museum they are now 

 preserved ; but from their general resemblance to each other, the 

 present species has remained there undistinguished till the present 

 time. As I believe this to be the first record of the occurrence 

 of this bird in Britain, I subjoin a short description of the spe- 

 cimen and a sketch half the natural size, to assist in drawing the 



attention of British naturalists to it, as it will probably be found 

 not unfrequent. Measurement — Total length, to extremity of tail, 

 about 8 inches; bill from base 10^ Hues, from rictus 1 inch 5 

 lines; greatest depth of both mandibles 2^ hnes ; middle toe, in- 

 cluding the claw, 11 lines in length ; tarsus 8 Hnes; naked por- 

 tion of the tibia 4 lines. Colours — Legs and feet in the preserved 

 specimen pale yellow, probably red in the living bird, claws 

 darker ; bill dark blackish brown ; head, neck, breast, abdomen. 



