Mr. W. Thompson's Additions to the Fauna of Ireland. 169 



The strata of Ilford, although comparatively of a recent date, 

 and the monument of but a small geological period, show that all 

 things were not made in a moment, but were progressive, and as- 

 sociate the inorganic with the organic creation, in the common 

 principle of growth and development, however differently each 

 may be carried out ; proving that the Mammoth and the Earth 

 went on increasing gradually — both had an infancy, and both 

 required time for their maturity. 



But the operations of the Infinite are based upon benevolence, 

 and seem to have had one great and creative act in view — to 

 which all preceding were to be in some way subservient : — for 

 ages did a large creation enjoy the undisturbed possession of the 

 lands, but at length the Mammoth, Bear and Rhinoceros became 

 extinct, whilst the Stag, Beaver, Sheep and Pig were preserved — 

 valleys and irregularities were filled up and levelled by an accu- 

 mulation of valuable materials — the action of natural laws was 

 gradually reduced in degree — that at last Man might become 

 the Earth's happy occupant. 



4 Bolton Street, Piccadilly, June 1847. 



XVIII. — Additions to the Fauna of Ireland*. By William 

 Thompson, Esq., Pres. Nat. Hist, and Phil. Society of Belfast. 



[Continued from vol. xviii. p. 397.] 



Birds. 



Baillon's Crake, Crex Bailloni 3 Vieill. (sp.). 



By letter from Dr. Harvey of Cork, dated January 13, 1847, 1 was 

 kindly informed that he had at that time in his possession — temporarily 

 — a specimen of this bird, which was taken in a bog at Clay Castle, 

 near Youghal, on October 30, 1 845. It was also remarked that the 

 Spotted Crake, Crex porzana, was obtained in the same locality in 

 October 1843. Dr. Harvey subsequently, at my request, favoured 

 me with a description of the specimen of C. Bailloni as to dimensions 

 and colour. On applying the description to specimens in the Bri- 

 tish Museum and in Mr. Yarrell's collection, there was a perfect 

 agreement, except in one particular, the white markings being in 



* This title is used for brevity. Species are included under it that do not 

 belong to the fauna proper of the country, but in the making out of a ge- 

 neral catalogue of the species obtained in Ireland, a separation will be made 

 of the indigenous from the others. 



The present communication (excepting the note on Tadorna rtitila) was 

 read at the Meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of 

 Science at Oxford in June last. 



