igiy- Notes. 195 



It has occurred in England in the eastern and southern counties more 

 than twenty times, while in Ireland more than thirty examples have been 

 recorded, chiefly from the nortli and north-west. 



W. H. Workman. 

 Windsor, Belfast. 



Departure of Swifts. 



I having been at home during all the month of August this year, I 

 have been closely watching the departure of the Swifts, Cypselus apus, 

 from here. It may be stated that at the close of the season these birds 

 are mainly in evidence only in the mornings and evenings. At the 

 beginning of the month the Swift population here was estimated at about 

 100, and on the 4th there appeared to be some diminution, but up till 

 nth there were still 50-60 flying about. From 12th till 14th the numbers 

 dropped to 10-20, and afterwards the numbers seen were as follows : — 

 August 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 



222212114311152 



30 31 September i 2 



II 63 



Mr. A. W. Stelfox informs me that he saw one at Bangor on nth 

 September — an unusually late date for the North of Ireland. So far 

 as I know only two later occurrences have been reported in the Irish 

 Naturalist, viz., vol. xii., p. 320, and vol. xxi., p. 246. 



Nevin H. Foster. 

 Hillsborough, Co. Down. 



Hoopoe in Co. Donegal. 



An adult female Hoopoe [Upupa epops) was shot at Greencastle, Co. 

 Donegal, on the shore of Lough Foyle, about 15th September last, by Mr. 

 R. H. Nolan, B.E., of Londonderry. I have only note of one other occurr- 

 ence of the species in this district, about twenty-five years ago at Egjinton, 

 Co. Derry. 



D. C. Campbell. 



Londonderry. 



In September last a female Hoopoe {Upupa epops) was shot at Green- 

 castle, Co. Donegal, by Mr. R. R. H. Nolan, B.E., on the shores of Lough 

 Foyle, a very interesting record of one of our rarer migrants. The 

 B.O.U. list of British Birds remarks : — " To Ireland it is a spring and 

 autumn visitor and occurs alinost annually, most frequently in March 



