tgi2. PenTland. — Mammals, Birds and Insects of Co. Louth. 147 



The Kestrel, formerly very common, is now almost rare, 

 why, I know not. The Sparrow-hawk holds its own. The 

 Shoveller, formerly almost unknown, is now one of our 

 commonest and most unsuspicious ducks. The Tufted 

 Duck used formerly to be very common on our pond. We 

 called them " Magpie Widgeon." Now I seldom see them. 

 It is not much use to generalise about ducks and geese as 

 their numbers depend almost entirely on the weather, but I 

 may safely say that there are just as many of them as ever. 

 Sheld-ducks breed no more with us but appear in winter. 

 Shovellers have become ver}^ common, and Tufted Ducks 

 comparatively rare. Both these ducks are easier to get 

 at than most of the duck tribe. 



The Stock Dove was formerly unknown, but now is not 

 uncommon. The Partridge is nearly extinct, a result due 

 to the operations of Rooks and poachers. The Quail pays 

 us very rare visits now ; it was once very common. Corn- 

 crakes are not nearly so common as formerly. Last summer 

 there were more than usual, perhaps on account of the 

 fine season. The Lap\ving and Snipe are not nearly so 

 common as formerly. Gulls have changed their habits in 

 several ways. They frequent harbours more than they used 

 to do and are much tamer there. They often feed on grain 

 now. The Black-headed Gulls are all over the fields, 

 especially the meadows in summer, hawking for flies, &c., 

 which was not the case in my boyhood. Their increase is 

 particularly noticeable. 



Insects. 



Ten or twelve years ago we were invaded by Sirex 

 gigas. This formidable looking creature increased very fast 

 and soon ever}^ fallen silver fir or gate post of that timber 

 was riddled with them. They do not seem to care much for 

 any timbers but silver fir and spruce, the former for choice 

 (though I have watched one laying her eggs in a larch 

 post) and it must be neither too green nor too rotten. 



Hard on the heels of the Great Wood Wasp came his enemy. 

 About 4 years ago I got my first specimen of Rhyssa persua- 

 soria, the ichneumon fly that preys on the grub of the wood 



