2t^6 The Jri^sh Naivralist. December, 1909. 



The Warty Newt presumably introduced into Dublin. 



In digging a drain at the back of the new Royal College of Science in 

 Dublin the workpeople noticed a creature walking about which inspired 

 Iheni with wonder. After having indnced it to creep into a bottle, they 

 >)rought it to the Musenni, where it was identified bv Mr. Halberc and 

 myself as a female specmien of the Warty Newt {Molgc cnstata). As this 

 species is not known as a native of the Irish fauna, I sent it to Mr. 

 Boulanger, of the British IMusenm, who kindly confirmed our identifica- 

 tion. He lemarked, at the same time, that he had no doubt of its 

 having been introduced. This supposition seems to be strengthened by 

 the fact that at the end of the new drain alluded to, the workmen dis- 

 covered an ancient well. The new't had possibly lived in it, and may 

 perhaps have been deposited there by one of the former tenants of the 

 houses now occupied as offices by the Department of Agriculture and 

 Technical Instruction. In any case, it is important to place the occur- 

 rence on record. 



R. F. SCHARFF, 



National Museum, Dublin. 



Marked Birds. 



For some time past I have taken a great interest in the ringing of 

 birds so as to obtain information in regard to their migration and general 

 movements. During the present N'ear a number of readers of Country Life 

 have marked birds, and we are now desirous of establishing a corre- 

 spondence in all parts of the world with all wdio w'ould let us know 

 should they come across the birds we have marked and identify our 

 rings. The rings we have used are engraved Coimtfy Life and a 

 number; and I would be ver}' grateful if those who are interested in 

 birds will, as far as possible, help us to trace the birds. It is only by co- 

 operation, not only with people in England, but in foreign countries, 

 that we can hope to obtain results. 



P. AndeRvSOn Graham. 



20 Tavistock-street, London, W.C. 



Glossy Ibis in Cos. Donegal and Derry. 



Kvidentl}' a flock of Glossy lh\^{r/egadisfa/Li7ieiIus, Linnaeus) has visited 

 our north coast. About October 12 one was shot at Malin Head, Co. 

 Donegal, and one at Straidarran, Co. Derry, about thirteen miles inland 

 from Derry City, by Mr. Samuel H. M'Candless. Both specimens seemed 

 to be immature ; the back, wings, and tail were beautifully glossed with 

 greenish purple; the under parts were brownish black; the head and 

 neck streaked with greyish white, and the legs and feet light grey. One 

 of the specimens is now in our city Museum. These are the first records 

 I have for this north-west district 



D. C. CA:tfPBgi<i.. 



Londonderry. 



