96 The Irish Naturalist. June, 



elapsed since their settlement in Ireland (probably before 

 the present British and Continental races had been de- 

 veloped) had they not been proof against the worst 

 vicissitudes of the Irish climate from pre-historic to present 

 times. Other birds that survived equally well were the 

 Robin, Hedge-sparrow, Wren, and Blue Titmouse. A more 

 surprising instance of hardihood was presented by the 

 Tree-Creeper ; for this frail-looking little thing has never 

 within my memory been anything like so numerous here 

 as it has been all through the present spring, and its song 

 is heard on all sides. The weather would seem to have 

 had quite a bracing effect on it. 



The Crossbill, which had frequented the woods here in 

 good-sized flocks all the winter, not only showed no 

 falling oft in numbers, but might be heard gleefully 

 proclaiming its intention to start nesting operations (an 

 intention since fulfilled) so early as February 14th, while 

 the ground \\as still prevailingly white. The spring 

 assemblages of the Magpie, which Darwin believed to be 

 held for the purpose of a general selection of mates — 

 and ^^'hich undoubtedly somehow mark the commence- 

 ment of the period of nidification — were attended as 

 numerously as usual, and began about the usual time 

 (first noticed February i8th). The Sky-lark, only a few 

 days after the holding of the first " magpie parliament," 

 was pouring out such torrents of song from many throats 

 as to indicate that hundreds of larks were already com- 

 peting for nesting ground in fields that could not accom- 

 modate more than a few pair. The Woodcock and Snipe, 

 before February was over, had both begun their curious 

 nuptial evolutions and music over their breeding haunts 

 in the first hour of the evening twilight ; and the numerical 

 strength in which both these birds appeared so soon after 

 the disappearance of the snow gives rise to a curious 

 question . 



Of the Woodcock I can only say that I think the numbers 

 seen flying at dusk this year were about the same as usual. 

 Of the Snipe, however, I can speak more confidently, 

 because in this neighbourhood, where there are no large 

 bogs, it breeds chiefly in small isolated patches of boggy 



