56 The Irish Naturalist. May, 



Black Redstart on Hill of Howth. 



Early on the morning of April ist (weather very severe at the time) 

 I had the pleasure of watching a Black Redstart for about a quarter of 

 an hour. It was steadily searching for hibernating insects in the crannies 

 of a row of wicker hurdles near the house. It was not in black plumage, 

 so must have been either a female or young male. I am very familiar 

 with the appearance of this little bird in Switzerland. In his " Manual 

 of British Birds," Howards Saunders states of this species — " To Ireland 

 it is an unfrequent winter visitor chiefly on the east and south coasts." 



A. L, ]Massy. 

 Bail}', Co. Dublin. 



Corncrake in December. 



My friend, Mr. W. A. Hamilton, of Coxton, Co. Donegal, writes, that 

 on December 30th his dog caught a Corncrake as it rose in flight. He 

 examined the bird, which was in good condition, but could not detect 

 any trace of injury, but he suggests that it may have been slightly injured 

 by a mowing machine, and consequently been unable to join the autumn 

 migration of the other Corncrakes. 



W. F. Johnson. 

 Killincoole Rector)^, 

 Castlebellingham. 



Fulmar breeding on Rathlin Island. 



I believe I am right in stating that Horn Head in Co. Donegal, is the 

 only place in the north of Ireland from which the Fulmar has been recorded 

 as breeding. 



Information has now reached me that seven of these birds were seen 

 on Rathlin Island, Co. Antrim, last season, one pair hatching out their 

 young. Two pair have already been seen there this season. 



I 'have the exact nesting locality, but for obvious reasons refrain 

 from giving it. 



J. A. Sidney Stendall. 

 Museum, Belfast. 



