74 The Irish Naturalist. July, 



Another informant wrote me in 191 6 that Squirrels 

 had not reached north Mayo, but that their appearance 

 had been spoken of near Castlebar, and the same informant 

 now tells me that Squirrels are still absent from north 

 Mayo, not yet having crossed the river Moy from Co. 

 Sligo . 



It appears that Squirrels must have spread northwards 

 to this county from Co. Galway. . 



Bloomfield, Hollymount, Co. Mayo. 



NOTES. 



Large Irish Elk Antlers. 



A skull bearing a fine perfect pair of antlers, of the Irish Giant Deer 

 {Cervus giganteus) with massive brow-tines measuring six feet from point 

 to point has been presented to the Belfast Municipal Museum by the 

 Rt. Hon. Lord Arthur Hill. It was found in a bog at Annamackeonan, 

 parish of Donacloney, near Lurgan, in 1863. To the same Museum the 

 Marquis of Downshue has presented a number of specimens, implements, 

 etc. of the prehistoric period, chiefly of the Bronze Age. 



A. Deane. 

 Belfast Museum. 



Robin Nesting in Letter-box. 



One morning last year when taking out the letters I found some moss 

 in the box and cleaned it out, thinking some school-children had put 

 it in. Next morning more moss was in the box. I then thought a 

 bird might be building and so stopped the postman from putting in more 

 letters. In course of time a Robin laid five eggs and brought out her 

 young quite safely. This year she came back, did some spring-cleaning, 

 laid five more eggs, and as I write is sitting very closely. I am fond 

 of small birds and find that they do a wonderful work in the orchard 

 in keepmg it clear of the grubs that we have to spray for so often. 



Frank J. Hall. 

 Loughgall, Co. Armagh. 



Observations on the Robin. 



An extremely important series of observations on the habits of the 

 Robin as studied in Co. Fermanagh by Mr. J. P. Burkitt is published 

 in " British Birds " for May. With a view to ascertaining as many 

 facts as possible regardmg the relation of song both to breeding and 



