88 The Irish Nuhii'itlisl. May, 1917. 



believed to have occurred on wet clay banks sloping to the beach at 

 Tullaghan, near ]3undoran. If the occurrence prove a permanent one, 

 it should be of particular interest to Irish botanists as constituting a 

 notable addition to the Lusitanian or Iberian element in the Irish flora. 



Wm. a. Lee. 

 80 Cavendish Drive, 



Rock Ferry, Cheshire. 



ZOOLOGY. 

 Should Wasps be killed ? 



The question whet]\cr wasps should be left in undisturbed possession 

 of their prey is still undecided. Some authorities like Prof. Carpenter 

 seem to be of opinion that they do more good than harm in killing flies 

 and their larvae during summer. But perhaps he does not possess a 

 fruit garden and may not therefore be brought so vividly in contact with 

 the undoubted damage wasps inflict on fruit. I have frequently watched 

 these creatures and have never seen them attack flies, though I am loth 

 to disbelieve in the observation of those who speak to the contrary. Any- 

 how an actual test of balancing the amount of benefit against that of the 

 damage done has never been carried out, and it must thus remain a matter 

 of opinion whether wasps are beneficial or injurious. I may confess that 

 in order to preserve my fruits from injury I kill wasps freely. Now it 

 may not be generally known that all wasps appearing before June are 

 queen wasps. If these arc killed it means the destruction of a whole 

 brood of wasps. Hence the necessity of starting the slaughter early in 

 the year. I find that gooseberry flowers form a great attraction to queen 

 wasps and these were in flower last year towards the end of April. Later 

 on, as Mr. Beresford has pointed out, wasps are often found in profusion 

 among the flowers of the various species of Cotoneaster. When thus 

 busily engaged the wasps can te easily killed. 



R. F. SCHARFF. 



National Museum, Dublin. 



The Jay in Ireland. 



Referring to Mr. May's ncjte in a recent issue of tlie Irisli Naturalist 

 (p. 53 supra) it appeal's that this species having remained resident for 

 so many years in the southern counties has now begun to extend its 

 range. In January this year several birds were observed at Lord 

 Talbot's demesne near Malahide, one having been shot in mistake. They 

 have also appeared at Kilcrony, J5ray, and recently at Mountbellew, Co. 

 Galway. I am also glad to report that Lord Talbot has given orders 

 that they are not to be destroyed. 



\V. J. Williams. 

 Dubhn. 



