52 DUBLIN NATTJEAL HISTOEY SOCIETY. 



tants." These expressions frequently appear in works on British orni- 

 thology, and I am satisfied must be considered as owing to the want of 

 proper information, arising from a lack of observation throughout each 

 season of the year, and especially from ignorance of the characteristics 

 and habits of birds in the immature states. 



There are several of the gentry whose tastes lead them to make col- 

 lections of the birds of their immediate neighbourhood, and others who 

 occasionally note occurrences that appear singular or strange to them ; 

 but still there is a general dearth of knowledge of seasonal records 

 throughout the country. The collections of my friend, R. Chute, Esq., 

 of Chute Hall, near Tralee, testify, by the great amount of interesting 

 objects he has obtained, what individual zeal can accomplislf. The sub- 

 alpine districts of Kerry, with their numerous lakes, estuaries, extensive 

 marshes, and wooded glens, stiU afford ample fields for observation; 

 and we shall yet learn, through well-directed and continued observa- 

 tions, that the records of — " must only be considered of extremely rare 

 occurrence," should be, ''by no means uncommon," 



Thus, the immature Iceland Gull (Larus Islandicus), I am sure, is, 

 at certain seasons, frequent on the west coast. It has been shot near 

 Tralee, and the immature bird has been seen in numbers. 



In the Transactions of this Society are recorded the immense flocks 

 of the Greater Shearwater [Fujinus major) seen in Dingle I3ay, and also 

 notes of the Bridled and Brunnich's Guillemots ( Uria lacrijmans and 

 Brunnichii), having been observed breeding on the Tiraght Bock. The 

 former bird, with the eggs, have been obtained at the entrance of the 

 Shannon, by Henry Burton, Esq., of Carrigaholt Castle. The King Eider 

 Duck {Somaferia spectahilis), and several rare species of Tringa, have 

 also been captured in Kerry. 



The Martinique Gallinule {Gallinula Martinico), which was cap- 

 tured in the living state in a drain at Clehane, Brandon, county of 

 Kerry, was at first by Mr. W. Thompson supposed to be, and described 

 as, the Sicilian Gallinule {Forphyrio hyacinthinus\ from the supposed 

 impossibility of a bird of the United States of America being met with 

 in Ireland. An examination of its characters satisfied me it must be 

 the Martinique GaUinule, and I wrote so to Mr. W. Thompson, who 

 afterwards admitted that my views were correct. 



The Dusky Petrel {Puffinus ohscurus)^ a bird of Australia, was also 

 obtained alive off Yalentia Island, and was exhibited in this Society in 

 1854. 



The Bohemian Waxwing (^Bomlycilla garrula) has several times 

 been noticed in Kerry. A very beautiful specimen is in the Museum of 

 the Society, taken near Miltown, county of Kerrj'^, and presented through 

 the kindness of one of the Members, Joseph Anderson, Esq. 



You have already had recorded the Membranaceous Duck {Mala- 

 corynchua memhranaceu8\ which was shot in Castlemaine Bay, where 

 six were observed together, and supposed by the sportsman to have been 

 teaL It has been remarked, that this bird ** could not have occurred in 



