1912. Notes* 47 



towards the centre of the skin, allowing the edges to nearly meet in some 

 parts. The nest at the time was only partly lined. On reflection I 

 think the site by no means so extraordinary, as, no doubt, the birds saw 

 some resemblance between the dried skin and the bark of a tree. 



Geo. R. Humphreys. 

 Dubhn. 



Migration of small birds (Chaffinches) across the Channel. 



On 12th October, 191 1, at about 4 p.m. (English time), when crossing 

 the St. George's Channel from Rosslare to Fishguard, and half an hour from 

 the latter port, the weather being foggy and no land visible, my attention 

 was called by a fellow passenger to a flock consisting of twenty -three 

 finches. These were flying alongside the steamer, and on the same course. 

 My fellow passenger first called my attention to them as Chaffinches, 

 and I myself identified one at least as a Chaffinch. Shortly after I first 

 saw them they seemed to become alarmed by the steamer, as they 

 suddenly arose higher in the air and fell astern ; but shortly afterwards 

 they forged ahead again, and easily passed the steamer, flying a few 

 feet above the water and going towards land. It seems to me that the 

 above note may be of interest, because it gives a definite observation 

 of a particular species on migration, and the speed may be set down, having 

 regard to the pace of the steamer, as at least 25 knots. 



G. E. H. Barrett-Hamilton. 

 Kilmanock, Campile. 



Common Sandpiper and Land-rails in Winter. 



Mr. T. Hyde Moberly, of Buckmount, Crosshaven, Co. Cork, observed 

 a Sandpiper about the shore there early in December, which remained, 

 and he shot it on nth January. My friend Mr. Robert Warren has seen 

 it at the establishment of Messrs. F. R. Rohu & Sons, where it is being 

 preserved, and he finds it to be a Common Sandpiper. 



Messrs. Rohu & Sons, wTiting on 6th January, said : — " Have you noticed 

 the very late appearance of the Corncrake in this country Several 

 specimens were sent to us as late as a week ago." In the Field of 30th 

 December Mr. Godfrey Pike states that the Corncrake (which he sent to 

 the Editor) was shot on a bog at Carrignavar, Co. Cork, on 19th December. 

 Possibly the mildness of this singular winter is to be connected with the 

 lingering of these summer visitors. 



R. J. USSHER. 



Cappagh, Co. Waterford. 



GEOLOGY. 



High-level Deposits of Marine Shells in Donegal. 



On arriving home after a short visit to Donegal, and opening the Nov- 

 ember number of the Irish Naturalist, I was delighted to read the article 

 by Mr. J. de W. Hinch, " On High-level Deposits of INIarine Shells." Only 

 the last day I spent in Donegal I had seen similar deposits and had decided 

 in my own mind that they were due to man's intervention. On the west 



