PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 97 



Anser ferus, Gessner (Grey-legged Goose), is of occasional, but rare occur- 

 rence in Ireland. This bird, though said in former times to have been abundant 

 in this country, must now be reckoned among the rarer of our Anatidae. During 

 the severe weather which prevailed towards the latter end of December, 1853, 

 and the beginning of January, 1854, several of these birds were brought to Dublin, 

 by the wild- fowl shooters. A very fine specimen was obtained for the Museum of 

 the Royal Dublin Society, shot in Westmeath. The bean goose was also very abun- 

 dent, but the specific difference appeared to be well known, as well as the diffe- 

 rence in their value. 



Anser Canadensis (Canadian Goose). This bird, according to Thompson, has, 

 in a very few instances, been shot on parts of our coast. In a letter which I re- 

 ceived from Mr. Davis, he mentions that a fine, and evidently a " pure wild speci- 

 men," was obtained by Dr. Harvey, of Cork, in the month of January last, shot on 

 a river in the vicinity of that town. 



Hareldaglacialis, Linn (Long- tailed Duck). Robt. Warren, jun.,Esq., kindly com- 

 municated to me the occurrence of this beautiful duck, in limited numbers, in 

 Killala Bay, county Sligo. It is a regular winter visitant to that locality. They 

 sometimes remain far into April, before taking their departure for the season. 



Sula bassana, Briss (Solan Goose or Gannet). On the 26th of October, 1853, 1 re- 

 ceived the following communication, in a letter from Mr. R. Davis, Clonmel : — 

 " About two months since, I had a fine specimen of the gannet sent me, shot in 

 Tramore Bay, August, 1853, which differed in plumage from any specimen I 

 have yet seen or met with ; in appearance it much resembled a great black-backed 

 gull ; it is now in the collection of Dr. Harvey, Cork. The following is a descrip- 

 tion of the bird : — Forehead, yellow white, which tinge shows in upper part of 

 neck ; crown and sides of head, brownish black, irregularly mixed with white ; a 

 narrow line of same colour down nape ; sides of neck and breast, white, with some 

 brown spots intermixed ; flanks, mixed black and white, in equal proportions ; all 

 the upper parts — viz., back, wing, coverts, primary, and tail, &c, brown black, 

 with very faint and slight remains of triangular white spots (hardly perceptible, ex- 

 cept on close observation) ; remaining under parts, white ; bill and legs, as in adult, 

 but rather dull. I suppose this to be no uncommon variety, but merely the mid- 

 way stage between youth and full age ; but I have not noticed any description 

 resembling it." Dr. Ball has, I believe, observed the same state of plumage in the 

 gannets kept in confinement in the Zoological Gardens, Phoenix Park. 



Sterna cantiaca, Gmel (Sandwich tern), is of occasional occurrence on the coast in 

 summer and autumn. — Thompson. Mr. R. Warren informs me, that these interesting 

 birds were rather late in making their appearance in Killala Bay, last spring, on 

 account, perhaps, of the severe weather. They did not arrive until the 7th April. 

 Although last year (1852) they were observed as early as the 23rd of March, he 

 had not, as yet, ascertained their breeding haunts, although he thinks it cannot be 

 far distant, as they fish throughout the summer in the bay. 



Lestris Richardsonii (Richardson Skua), is occasionally procured on the coast. 

 — Thompson. The following communication, in reference to this bird, for which I 

 am indebted to Mr. R. Warren, would seem to cast a doubt on the statement of Mr. 

 Watters, in his History of Irish Birds, that the L. Richardsonii was the rarest of 

 Lestridae. A brother of Mr. Warren's, residing at Bartra, in Killala bay, about 

 a mile from Enniscrone, says, that some time in November, he witnessed the mi- 

 gration of some hundreds of species of Lestris ; they appeared to come from the 

 north-east, and went right across the country towards the south-west ; they were, 

 probably, L. Richardsonii, for on October 17th, 1851, I witnessed a like migration at 

 the same time, and one, which I then shot, proved to be of that species. As well as I 

 could judge of them on the wing, they appeared to be of all ages. The one I shot 

 was immature. I w T as not before aware of the appearance of the Skua in such 

 abundance on our coast. 



ThalassidromaLeachii,Temm (Fork-tailed Petrel). A specimen of this petrel was 

 obtained by Dr. Ball, for the University Museum, and exhibited at a former meet- 

 ing of this Association. It was shot near the North-wall, during stormy weather, 

 in the month of October, 1853. 



In concluding these few notes, which are only a tithe of the rare birds which have 



