iSqS.] Fatten.— T/ie Birds of Diiblin Bay. 2i,2, 



Order COIvUMB^. 



Columba palutnbus, Linn. Ring - Dove, " Wood - Ouest." — 

 Couimon all the year round. Characters familiar. 



C. livia, Grnel. Rock-Dove. — Has occurred on few occasions 

 (Williams). Differs from last by smaller size, and absence of white 

 on neck and wing. 



Order LIMICOIy^ 



CEdicnemus scolopax, S. G. Gmel. Stone Curi^Ew. — Extremely 

 rare visitor to Dublin Ba}-. Has twice occurred on the North Bull, 

 viz. : — 27th January, 1829 (Morris, British Gavie-birds and Wild-fowl, 

 p. 117), and on the 3rd December, 1884 The latter specimen is pre- 

 served in the National Museum, Dublin {Life a7id Letters of A . G. More, 

 p. 598, and List of Lrish Birds.^ The Stone Curlew is a member of the 

 plover family, and is often called the Great Plover ; it is dis- 

 tinguished from the other Irish species by its superior size. 



>qEg'iaIitis hiaticula, Linn. Ringed P1.0VER.— Plentiful on the 

 North Bull in autumn and winter. Many remain to breed on the 

 end of the sand-dunes. The white ring round the neck with the 

 black and white forehead make this a very noticeable little bird. 

 It often keeps company with the Dunlin, and like it is the least 

 suspiciovis of shore birds. 



JE.. cantiana, Dath. Kentish Pi^over. — P)xtreniely rare. Has only 

 been met on few occasions on the " muddy shores of Dublin Baj"," 

 viz.: — Autumn of 1846 (Thompson) ; in August, 1851, and winter of 

 1852 (Watters, Birds of Ireland). A specimen in the Science and 

 Art Museum is recorded by the late Mr. A. G. More, in his List of 

 Irish Birds, 1890. Distinguished on the shore from last by its 

 smaller size, and incomplete black ring round the neck, which is 

 interrupted in front by a white patch. Legs and bill black. In the 

 Ringed Plover the legs and base of the bill are orange. 



Charadrius pluvialis, Linn. Goi^den Pi^over. — Annual visitor to 

 the North Bull in late autumn and winter. 



Squatarola helvetica, Linn. Grey Pi^over. — Annual visitor in 

 small numbers to the North Bull, arriving in September and 

 remaining throughout the winter till spring. Mr. Williams noticed 

 a Gre}' Plover at the early date of 28tli August, 1898, in full summer 

 plumage. The bird may be distinguished from the Golden Plover 

 when flying, by the conspicuous white-marked tail, and by the 

 black axillary feathers. The dead specimen can always be recognised 

 \>y the obsolete hinder toe. This is absent altogether in the Golden 

 Plover. The autumnal plumage of the Grey Plover in its first year 

 shows a golden tinge in the upper wing coverts and back feathers. 

 In winter this is replaced by a true grey colour. 



