I46 Tlie Irish Nahiralist. August, 



took to my own woods which are neither very large, very 

 old or very well preserved, and in short they are increasing 

 and flourishing everywhere. It is a most extraordinary 

 circumstance and I am utterly at a loss to account for it. 



I believe Otters are increasing also. Within the last 

 couple of years they have twice visited the pond here, which 

 they never did before to my knowledge. It is about 3 acres 

 in extent and full of Rudd and Eels. 



Louth, like most of Ireland, has been invaded by Squirrels 

 within the last 15 or 16 years. Many of them have the 

 whole tail cream.-coloured, not merely the tip. Is this the 

 case in other places ? 



The Hedgehog was very common in my woods till about 

 15 years ago, when it began to decrease, and is now extinct 

 or so nearly so that I have not seen one for 4 years. Is it 

 possible that the Badgers have killed them off ? At any 

 rate the arrival of the Badger and the departure of the 

 Hedgehog synchronized exactly. 



Birds. 



The Missel Thrush has increased enormously as in other 

 parts of Ireland. It seems very adaptive in its habits. 

 I have found its nest in a hole in a stone gate -pier, and on a 

 sandy bank on Baltray Golf Links. They get very tame 

 and one of them finishes our dog's breakfast very often. 



The Goldfinch was formerly common, but is now rare, 

 probably owing to birdcatchers. The House Sparrow is 

 rather local and decreasing in numbers ; e.g., it has entirely 

 disappeared from my place. The Bullfinch is certainly 

 increasing, 



I do not think Starlings are more numerous in winter than 

 formerly, but they build with us in numbers now, which was 

 not so before. The Magpie is not nearly so common as 

 formerly, and the Hooded Crow, formerly very common, is 

 now quite rare. The decrease of the Magpie and Hooded Crow 

 is certainly not due to gamekeepers. It may be caused b}^ 

 poison laid by farmers, but I do not think it is. I cannot 

 account for it. The Rook has doubled in numbers in my 

 memory. These birds are ^^^^ stealers, and a great nuisance 

 to farmers. 



