44 '^h^ Irish Natiiralist.'^ February, 1908. 



NOTES. 



ZOOLOGY. 



Vitrina p3n:enaica in Ireland. 



By the kindness of Mr. A. S. Kenuard, I have been enabled to examine 



two living specimens of the Vitrina announced in the August number 



of the Irish Naturalist (vol. xvL, p. 225) as V. elotigata. I have myself 



captured and examined both elon^ata {semilimax) and pyrenaica in France ; 



and I have no hesitation in pronouncing the Irish specimens sent to 



me to be V. pyrenaica, Fer. Their anatomy is easily distinguishable from 



that of V. semilimax. 



E. W. BOWEI,!,. 

 Penshurst, Kent. 



The Red-necked Phalarope in Ireland. 



British Birds for November, 1907, contains an extremely readable 

 article on observations on the breeding habits of this interesting and 

 rare bird as observed by Hugh S. Gladstone, F.Z.S , at its Irish breeding- 

 haunt last season. 



Black-cap in November. 



On 25th November I found a small bird on my avenue which I made 

 sure was a Black-cap ; but lest there should be any doubt of it I sent it 

 at once to Messrs. Williams, of Dame-street, who confirmed my identifi- 

 cation Is it not unusual to find this bird so late in the season ? It had 

 evidently just died, and it certainly could not have been in the place I 

 found it the previous day, as I walked along there several times on the 

 Sunday. 



Thos. B. Gibson. 



Ferns, Co. Wexford. 



3 



Scarcity of Sparrows in Co. Clare. 



It is very noticeable in this neighbourhood that Sparrows have almost 

 disappeared. In the spring a few were seen, but hardly any during the 

 summer months, and as far as I can find out they have not been observed 

 in other parts of the county. That birds which literally swarmed in this 

 place should have disappeared in one season is curious. It would be in- 

 teresting to ascertain if their absence has been noted elsewhere, and if 

 it has been accounted for in any way. Within the last week a few hen 



Sparrows have been seen here. 



D. C. Parkinson. 



Enuis. 



