1910- A^o/ei. 13 



Notes on Recent Irish Birds. 



An adult and female Osprcy was seen on Lou^^h Erne for some days, and 

 eventuallj' shot In- a gamekeeper's son on the 4th October, while perched 

 on a dead tree near Castle Archdale, Irvinestown. A Great vSkua was 

 shot near Portrush, Co. Antrim, on October 24th after a gale from the 

 north-east. Bird was a male in adult plumage. A Suowy Owl (male) 

 was shot near Enuis, Co. Clare, on November ist. AGrey Phalarope was 

 found dead at Kilbeggan, Co. Wcstmeath, and another was killed at 

 Arran Lighthouse against lantern November 15th. A third was shot at 

 Tramore, Co. Waterford, October 27th. A Ruff (male) in adult plumage 

 was shot in Bog of the Ring, Balbriggan, on November i8th. A Glossy 

 Jbis was caught in a trap near Banagher November 15th. The bird was 

 in beautiful adult plumage, and the body fat. A vSabine's Snipe, ver}- 

 dark variety, was shot near New Ross. Co. Wexford, on November 19th. 



W. y. Williams. 



Rathgar, Dublin. 



Invasion of Crossbills. 



The irruption of Crossbills into the British Isles last summer was re- 

 markably widespread, extending from the North of Scotland to the South 

 of England, and westwards to Galwa} in Ireland. INIany were seen in this 

 district in July and early August. 



Richard M. Baurixgtox. 



Fassaroe, Bray. 



Jays in Ulster. 



About the beginning of the uiueteenlh century Jays were still to be 

 found near Shane's Castle and elsewhere near Lough Neagh (Dubour- 

 dieu). Mr. Thompson in the middle of the century knew of none in the 

 North of Ireland. 



Jays have of late years been extending their range, and have since 

 T90T been repeatedly obtained near Navan. Mr. S. vScroope found a 

 nest on 6th June, 1909, in a tail fir that stood in a wooded demesne in 

 that part of Meath. It was about 40 feet from the ground, and 10 feet 

 out on a branch from the trunk of the tree ; it contained three newly- 

 hatched young and an addled egg, which Mr. Scroope obtained. 



The further spread of Ja^s into Southern Ulster is evidenced by one 

 sent to Messrs. Williams and vSon from Maguire's Bridge, Co. Fermanagh, 

 on the 7th November, 1906 ; while Major Hamilton, of Castle Hamilton. 

 Killeshaudra, Co. Cavan, writes to me on 13th November, 1909.—' For 

 the first time Jays have appeared in the county. One was shot to-day 

 and I have sent it up to William.s." 



These birds are so shy and fond of hiding in thick woods that they 

 may be established in a place for .some time before they attract notice. 



R. J. USSHER. 

 Cappagh, Co. Waterford. 



