1898.] Motes, 151 



BIRDS, 



Spring: lYIigrants in Co. Wexford. 



The following are the dates of the first appearance of our migrants at 

 Ballyhylaud, so far as observed, this spring:— Chiifchaff, April 6; Swal- 

 low, April S; Willow-wren, April 12; House-Martin, April 16; Cuckoo 

 and Corncrake, April 20 ; Grasshopper- Warbler, April 24 ; Swift, April 

 26; Sedge-Warbler, May 4 ; Wliitethroat, May 6; Nightjar, May 9 ; 

 Spotted Fl3-catcher, May 10. For the date of Cuckoo and Corncrake, I 

 am indebted to an informant who heard these birds before I did, the 

 Corncrake when first heard being in very feeble voice. Perhaps the 

 apparent lateness of most of the Warblers may be a consequence of the 

 harsh spring weather, which not improbably deterred them from an- 

 nouncing their presence so soon after reaching us as they generally do. 

 The bird longest behind his time was the Chiffchaff, whose average date 

 for the previous seven ^-ears (1891-97) is March 23rd. The Swallow, 

 Martin and Swift have come rather early. xA "Cuckoo" was reported 

 here, as in many other localities, long before the time at which the 

 arrival of this species is credible. 



C. B. Moffat 

 Ball3'hylaud, Co. Wexford. 



The Grasshopper Warbler. 



According to Mr. A. G. More's List of Irish Birds, the Grasshopper 

 Warbler {Acroccphalus mcvius) is rare, especially in the West of Ireland, 

 though mentioned as having been found in INIayo in 1866. A few days 

 ago when I was out riding I heard its note on Ballydugan Hil],Loughrea. 

 The bird is unmistakable bj' its note, which sounds exactl}' like the 

 winding up of a fishing-reel, and by which I recognized it ten years ago 

 in some scrub about four miles vS.W. of Athenry, since which time, till 

 this year, I have never heard it in Galway, although I have often 

 listened for it. 



Margaret E Joyce. 



CrauiJ:liwell. 



'&' 



The Stock Dove in Queen's County. 



On 2oth April while cycling in the neighbourhood of Kiunity, I Was 

 informed on good authority by the gamekeeper at Castle Barnard (Mr. 

 Rutherford) that the Stock Dove {ColuDiha lOias) is breeding there this 

 season. As it has been already observed in various parts of Queen's 

 County and also in a few other localities in Ireland, and has now been 

 traced to the western part of the county, it is to be hoped that before 

 long it may be observed nesting in some of the adjoining counties. 



R. M. Mii,i,ER. 

 Roscrea. 



