fZ The Irish Naturalist. May, 1919. 



NOTES. 



ZOOLOGY. 



Ar^ynnis a^Iaia in South Mayo. 



Having seen two notes with regard to the Dark Green Fritillary in 

 Ireland, I should like to mention that I met with it here last summer 

 in August. Among some Silver-washed Fritillaries feeding on Scabious 

 flowers, I saw a good female specimen of the Dark Green Fritillary. I 

 was able to approach it closely and was, therefore, sure of its identity, 

 though not having a net with me I could not capture it. 



William Ruttledge. 

 Bloomfield, Hollymount, Co. Mayo. 



The Jay in Co. Louth. 



Jays have appeared in co. Louth several times this winter. The Dean 

 of Armagh saw one (at Drumcar, I believe), my son saw one here on the 

 19th inst., and I have heard their cry twice. They are very rare visitors 

 here. G. H. Pentland. 



Black Hall, Drogheda. 



Qannets at Dunmore. 



At the beginning of March a great number of Solan Geese appeared off 

 Dunmore, co. Waterford, as I am informed by Miss Paul, evidently 

 attracted by the unusual plenty of inshore herrings or sprats,on which they 

 were continually plunging. The fishermen told her that twenty years ago 

 there was a similar influx of fish, and then the Gannets were also to be seen 

 in large quantities in pursuit of them. 



J. H. Gurney. 

 Keswick Hall, Norfolk. 



Courtship of Birds. 



Watching the birds about here in their early spring performances, one 

 thing has puzzled me in regard to Herons, Hoodie Crowds and Magpies, 

 During the period of courtship three birds seem always to be present, but 

 when once nest-building has been undertaken there are only two. This 

 year I shot two Hoodie Crows that were persecuting the Herons, but 

 very shortly three Hoodies were again in evidence, though they took 

 care not to go near their executed comrades. I could not make out 

 whether the three include two males or two females. 



W. S, Green, 

 Qaherdaniel, Co. Kerry, 



