38 The Irish Naturalist. April, 



coloured Sand-Martin often hawks for insects in the streets. 

 Rutty, in his " Natural History of Dubhn," says the shy 

 and gaudy Jay used to occur about Dublin in his day, 

 though it has long ceased to do so. 



Some of our large parks and squares can add many 

 interesting species to the list, and, of these parks, St. 

 Stephen's Green is the mosc interesting. During summer 

 the Whitethroat and Spotted Flycatcher may be seen among 

 the trees, while on and around the lake are other interesting 

 birds. Waterhens, Coots, and Little Grebes occasionally 

 visit the lake in winter, and may be seen feeding there, not 

 in the least discomposed by the numerous people walking 

 around. It is probable that some Wild Ducks may visit 

 the waters, especially at night, but it is difficult to dis- 

 criminate between the tame and wild ducks on the water. 

 At night the Snipe has been found there. Gulls are of 

 course numerous, especially the Blackheaded species, and 

 they have become very bold in robbing or forestalling the 

 ducks of the titbits throw^n them by the visitors. They 

 are also very clever at catching crumbs of bread thrown 

 into the air, which they rarely fail to seize before reaching 

 the water. They do not appear to attack, or otherwise 

 interfere with, the young ducklings which make such a 

 pretty sight in the early summer. This is more than can 

 be said of somie cf the Lesser Blackbacked Gulls which from 

 time to time appear there. One of these, which visited 

 the Green in the summer of 1907, caused such havoc among 

 the broods of ducklings that finally it had to be executed 

 by order of the Board of Works. The Common Gull has 

 on occasion been seen there also, more often than it appears 

 on the Liffey. 



In Trinity College Park, I am informed that Redwings 

 are quite frequently seen, while Fieldfares also occur, 

 though only occasionally. During a match in the grounds, 

 a spectator there saw a Woodcock among some under- 

 growth. 



Birds of prey are more plentiful than one would think. 

 Sparrow-hawks are constantly seen over the busiest streets, 

 while along the quays they take their toll of the numerous 

 smaU birds which are to be found there. The Kestrel, 



