i899-J Pattfn. — Sea-Fowl of the Dublin Coast. 255 



believe it to be nearly as plentiful in the early winter 

 (November to Christmas) as it is in autumn. 



The usual number of Sandfrung ( Tringa are?iaria), grouped 

 together in small wisps of twenty birds or so, appeared about 

 the middle of September. A month earlier than this (August 

 16th, 1899), I noted a large flock of about 100 Sanderiing at 

 the North Bull. This flock consisted of adult birds, many of 

 which at this early date had moulted for the most part into 

 their winter dress. They only remained about ten days. If 

 any had been shot at the end of that period and examined, 

 they would have been found to be almost, if not altogether, 

 in full winter plumage. Sanderiing in mid-winter are scarce 

 on the Dublin coast, and it is likely that many of the 

 specimens which one sees in collections, without the date of 

 capture, of the Sanderiing hi full winter plumage are specimens 

 taken in late autumn. 



During the northern migration the Sanderiing remained as 

 late as the 7th June this year. 



The Ruff or RFFVF {Machetes pugnax), although decidedly 

 rare on the Dublin coast, is, I think, a more regular migrant 

 during autumn than hitherto supposed. The following 

 records of its occurrence will bear out this statement : — 



(1.) September 1st, 1896, male Ruff shot at the North 



Bull. This specimen is in my collection. 

 (2.) August 28th, 1897, 1 Mr. Williams shot a pair at the 



North Bull. 

 (3 ) Supposed to have been observed, but no specimens 



taken, in autumn of 1898. 

 (4.) September 20th, 1899, female Ruff (called Reeve) shot 

 at the North Bull by Mr. Walker, forwarded to me 

 from Mr. Williams. This specimen is in my 

 collection. 

 (5.) October 3rd, 1899, Ruff (female) shot at Balbriggan 

 by Mr. Tuustal-Moore (junior), and recorded by 

 Mr. E. Williams. 

 N.B. — The last is a late date for the occurrence of this 

 species. 



It is almost needless to mention that the Common Red- 

 shank (Totanus calidtis) is a very plentiful bird all along 

 the Dublin coast wherever mudslobs and tidal estuaries are 



1 See Irish Naturalist, page 235, vol. vii. 



A 2 



