1901. 163 



IRISH SOCIETIES. 



ROYAL ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



Recent gifts include a West African Python from Captain J. B. Eames, 

 a Fieldfare from Mr. J. Ormiston, a Monkey from Mr. W. D. Byrne, a 

 pair of Ring-Snakes from Mr. h- P. Brown, a Tortoise from Miss F. 

 Wiugfield, and four Kestrels from Mr. R. W. Woodrow. 



NOTES. 



ZOOLOGY. 



A Stray Viper near Wexford. 



A correspondent informs us that a specimen of the Viper (Pelias ten-is), 

 upwards of three feet long, was captured and killed, on June 9th, by 

 Mr. S. Kanip, of Wexford, who found the snake in a field close to the 

 town. It was first seized by a terrier dog, and ultimately overpowered 

 and carried to the town, where it attracted much attention. Nothing 

 seems to be known as to the method of introduction of the reptile. 



Night-jars on the Cave Hill, Belfast. 



Having heard from a friend about a strange bird, which, from his 

 description, I thought must be a Night-Jar, seen close to the Karl of 

 Shaftesbury's demesne about a week ago, I, under my friend's guidance, 

 went to the place on the evening of the 4th of July. We had not been 

 there very long before one flew quite close to us— so close, indeed, that 

 I could distinctly see the white markings on the wings. After that 

 we heard them on all sides making their "eo-ic," as Mr. Seebohm 

 describes the note, when flying. We then saw one light on a fir tree, 

 and immediately begin to "jr-r-r-r," which it kept up for some 

 minutes, then changed to another fir top, and began again. The noise 

 must have been fairly loud, as we heard it a good way off. We saw two 

 more, but not quite so close. Many more were calling round amongst 

 the trees. They do not seem to be a very shy bird, as they came quite 

 close to my friend when he first saw them. Some have been shot 

 lately by gamekeepers round about, and set up by Shiels, of Corporation- 

 street, where I saw them. Dr. Bowdler Sharp, in his Hand-book of 

 British Birds, describes them as scarce in the North. They seem pretty 

 plentiful round Belfast. 



W. II. Workman. 



Belfast. 



