234 ' The Irish Nahiralist. [October, 



Vanellus vulg'aris, Beclist. Lapwing, Green Pi^over.— Commou 

 ou the North Bull, where it breeds. Characters familiar. 



Streps! las Interpres, Ivinn. Turnstone.— PVequent on the coast 

 of Dublin Bay, except in summer, when a few non-breeding birds 

 occur. The peculiar variegated, blotched plumage, consisting of 

 black, white, and chestnut, characterizes this species on the sea- 

 shore. Its partiality for hard ribbed sand and shingle should also 

 be noted. 



Hdamatopus ostralagrus, Linn. Oyster- Catcher.— Common at 

 all times. Easily identified by its large size and black and white 

 plumage. Hundreds often flock together. 



Recurvlrostra avocetta, Linn. Avocet. — Extremely rare visitor. 

 One was observed by Mr. E. Williams in Oct., 1S97, at the North 

 Bull. The characteristic recurved beak, white plumage with 

 black wings and head, and long legs will serve to distinguish this 

 bird. 



Phalaropus fulicarius, Linn. Grey Phai^arope. — Rare and 

 irregular visitor in autumn (Williams). Predominating colour is 

 ash-grey. Feet with lobe- webbed toes. 



Callinago ccjBlcstis, Frenzel. Common Snipe. — A few frequent the 

 rushes of the North Bull. Characters familiar. 



Tringa alpina, Linn. Dunwn, " vSand-Lark."— Plentiful about the 

 mud-slobs and salt-water drains of the North Bull. Occurs all the 

 5'ear round but is most numerous in autumn and winter, when it 

 collects into large flocks. The small wisps which occur throughout 

 the summer months consist for the most part of non-breeding birds 

 as shown by anatomical investigation. In summer the lower breast 

 of the Dunlin is black, and the back darkish brown. The birds of 

 the first autumn are brownish throughout and have no black on the 

 breast. In winter the Dunlin fades to a pale ash-grey with white 

 breast. The bills, legs, and toes are black. 



T. inlnuta, Leisler, LiTTi^E Stint. — Irregular autumnal visitor in 

 small numbers, generally appearing about the first week in Sep- 

 tember. In 1892 there was an unusually large migration to the 

 North Bull. Ou the 7th Sept. of that year, in company with Mr. E. 

 Williams, I observed no less than sixty Stints. INIost of them were 

 mixed up with small flocks of Dunlins, others kept company with 

 Sanderlings and Turnstones, whilst the remainder aggregated into 

 small batches of 15 or 20 birds. The)' only remained a few days, for 

 on the I2tli Sept., 1S92, they had all departed. From 1893 to 1S96 

 inclusive no examples of Stints made their appearance. Last year 

 (Sept. 1897), Mr. Williams obtained one, and I obtained a pair of these 

 birds from the North Bull. It may be distinguished from the other 

 small waders by its diminutive size, very straight flight, and by its 

 voice, which is a delicate high pitched twitter. The bill is shorter 

 and straighter in proportion to that of the Dunlin. 



