i899-] Barrett •Hamilton. — Introduction of Black Grouse,&c. 43 



been the case in my own county Wexford. Finally, attempts 

 to reintroduce the Capercailzie in Lord Bantry's woods at 

 Glengariffe, 1 and in those of Colonel Cooper at Markree Castle 

 have met with no success, 2 and in the latter locality the 

 introduction of seven or eight brace of Heather Grouse in 

 the severe winter of 1879-80 was equally unsuccessful. 



Colonel Cooper 3 has indeed met with an extraordinary run of 

 ill-luck in his attempted introductions'of numerous species at 

 Markree Castle, such as Hawfinches, Nuthatches, and 

 Reeve's Pheasants. In the case of Crossbills, of which he 

 also turned down a good many, it is possible that he has 

 met with more success, they having " increased considerably," 

 but it is not unlikely that this increase may have been 

 unconnected with the introduced birds, since Crossbills have 

 of late years become more numerous all over Ireland. 



Lastly, I am informed by Lord Powerscourt that a few 

 Nightingales were turned out by him a few years ago in 

 his woods at Powerscourt, but none have been seen there 

 since. 



Kilmanock, Co. Wexford. 



OBITUARY. 



I,. M. EWART, J. P., M.R.I.A. 



Laveiis M. Ewart died on December 13th, aged 53 years, and by his 

 decease Belfast lost one of its most familiar figures. Apart from the 

 great linen business with which the name of Ewart is associated, and 

 the prominent part which the deceased gentleman took in municipal 

 affairs, he was best known as an antiquary and collector, particularly in 

 the domain of local maps and books, of which he got together an almost 

 unique collection. Mr. Ewart was Vice-President of the Belfast 

 Naturalists' Field Club in 1894 and 1895, and President during the 

 years 1896 and 1897. He was a member of the Royal Irish Academy 

 and Fellow of the Royal Society of Antiquaries, and was one of those to 

 whom the re-starting of the Lister Journal of A nhcrology is due. 



1 Yarrell's " British Birds," ed. IV., vol. III., p. 51. 



2 Thompson, op. cil., vol. II., p. 32. 



3 Letter of 19th Sept., 1898, wherein Colonel Cooper informs me that 

 in addition to the birds, he has on several occasions turned down a good 

 many Minnows and Gudgeons, and that both these fish are now to be 

 found in the rivers of his neighbourhood. 



