Notes. 147 



The Spotted Redshank (Totanus fuscus) in IreIvAND. To the 

 Irish Sportsman of August 20th, Mr. Robert Warren contributed an inter- 

 esting article on this subject. He gives particulars of the five specimens 

 obtained in Ireland, and describes his various hunts after the species, 

 which has visited the Moy estuary on frequent occasions. 



Br,ACK-TAii,ED GoDWiT (Limosa "belgica) on Lough Swii,i.y. Several 

 of these birds have recently visited the Reclamation Slob, at Inch, Lough 

 Swilly. One, shot by ni}- son, Mr. H. A. Leebody, on August i8th, I have 

 had preserved. He secured another specimen on August 29th. The 

 Bar-tailed Godwit is common enough at Inch in vSeptember ancLOctober, 

 but I have not previously noticed the Black-tailed. — ^J. R. Leebody, 

 Londonderry. 



Occurrence of the Ruddy SheIvDR.\ke (Tadorna rutila) in 

 Co. Cork. An adult female of this species was shot in Cork Harbour on 

 the 4th August, out of a flock of three. The plumage was in perfect con- 

 dition, and showed no traces of its having been in captivity. I do not 

 know of any ornamental water in the neighbourhood, where the birds 

 could have escaped from. It is probable that owing to the widespread 

 occurrence of this species over the British Isles the last few months, that 

 there may be other small flocks along the southern coast of Ireland, 

 which have escaped observation, or have not been recorded. — W. B. 

 Barrington, Cork. 



Ruddy Shei^drakes (Tadorna rutila) in Irei<and. Ruddy Shel- 

 drakes continue to be reported from various parts of this country, as well 

 as from England and Scotland, and there would appear to be reason 

 to suppose that a flock of wild birds from the far east has visited 

 our shores; a number of letters discussing the wild or domestic origin of 

 the strangers will be found in the last few issues of the Field. The Irish 

 Sportsman of July 23rd, contains notice of a flock of seven on the Dublin 

 coast; Mr. H. C. Levinge reports to Mr. Usslier {Zoologist for September) 

 two in Co. Westmeath ; Mr. W. A. Hamilton records three at Coolmore, 

 Ballyshannon {Field, August 20th); and Mr. D. C. Campbell writes that a 

 flock of six were seen at Inch, Lough Swilly, of w^hicli one was shot 

 {Field, August 27th). 



MAMMALS. 



Hybrid between Hare and Rabbit (Lepus variabilis and L. cu- 



niculus). In the month of June a specimen of a curious hare was for- 

 warded to me from Tullintrain, Co. Derry. It was considered by the 

 sender to be an unheard of occurrence — a cross between a rabbit and hare. 

 I think these hybrids partake more of the nature of a hare; in that they 

 do not burrow, run very quickly, and are said to be even more difficult 

 to kill than the ordinary hare. The one now in my possession is like a 

 hare in general shape and size, with long legs ; also the fur along the 

 chest and under parts is that of a hare. It resembles a rabbit in shape and 

 size of head and ears. The fur on head and along the sides and back, is 

 greyish brown, like that of the wild rabbit. The tail is about three 

 inches long and almost white. This specimen, when living, was caught 

 by greyhounds, and its voice was said, to be like that of a hare. I will 

 be pleased to hear if any readers of the Irish Naturalist have come across 

 instances of hybrids between these animals, with any remarks as to their 

 habits, etc. — Arthur J. Collins, Belfast. 



NOTICE. 



A series of papers on "The Earthworms of Ireland," will be 

 commenced in the January number of the Irish Nahwalist, by 

 Rkv. Hilderic Friend, F.Iy.S., of Idle, Bradford, Yorkshire. 



Mr. Friend will be grateful for w^orms from all parts of the 

 country. They should be sent alive in damp earth or moss, in 

 metal boxes. Packages should be marked "Natural History 

 Specimens." 



