14 I hi Irish Natujalist. Jauuary, 



Late Swallows. 



During the di}-, frosly weather in Xoveniljer. after the therniuuieter 

 outside my window had registered 2<f at night, I saw an immature 

 vSwallow flying about in the afternoon sunsliine. close to this house on 

 23rd November. I have made several notes of Swallows seen by me in 

 November, but this is the latest, though one was sent to Mr. \V. J. 

 Williams which was shot in Co. Dublin on the 8th December, 1908. and 

 Lieutenant-Colonel Hardy noticed in the Field three seen near Queens - 

 town on 1st December. 1879. 



R. J. UssuKR. 



Cappagh, Co. Waterford. 



Sparrows chasing Pigeons. 

 I have on several occasions seen sparrows pursuing the domestic 

 }jigeous which fly about the neighbourhood of Rathmines, and have 

 never been able to discover the cause. The pigeon was seen to fly hastily 

 from the ground where it had been feeding and coil round and dodge 

 its pursuer several times, till it eventuallv rested on some neighbouring 

 roof. The sparrow alighted close by, and finally flew away not un- 

 frequently with feathers in its bill. At first I was led to the conclusion 

 that feathers were wanted for nesting, but as it occurs at all times of the 

 year I thiiik nothing can be attributed to it but the pugnacity of the 

 sparrow. 



NOKMAN ]•;. vSTKPHENS. 



Rathmines-road, Dublin. 



Ring-dove feeding on Ivy Berries. 



When driving from Greyabbey to Newtownards I observed a Ring-dove 



feeding upon Ivy berries. vSo voraciously M-as it eating" them that it 



allowed us to pass it within easy reach of the jarvey's whip. I have 



come across no record of its eating this fruit, so the fact may be worth 



noting. 



Hugh L. Okr. 

 Belfast. 



GEOLOGY 



Mineral Vein in Carboniferous Limestone at Cloghran. 



Some few months ago I visited a quarry situated about a mile south of 

 Cloghran, and found an exceptionally good mineral vein. Small crystals 

 of quartz were freely developed, and in some cases showed the prism 

 terminated at both ends by pyramid (rhombohedral) faces. Larger 

 crystals were rarer ; one had a diameter of almost 2 ins. Calcite crystals 

 showing the prism ca])ped by rhombohedral planes also occurred, along 

 with traces of malachite and copper pyrites, whilst on a heap of freshly- 

 broken .stones I found a piece of baryte.s. 



L Swain. 

 University College, Cork. 



