I900.] Notes, 8 1 



To see this requires the use of a i-inch and a ^-inch objective on the 

 microscope, and to make a section of a leaf. Dr. Braithwaite recom- 

 mends, in making sections of leaves of Sphagnum^ '' to enclose the wet 

 branch in a split vial cork, and tie them tight, then with a razor to make 

 very thin slices of the whole, placing them in a few drops of water on a 

 slide, when they will immediately expand, and the cork may be picked 

 X)ut with a needle." I have often obtained good results b}' this method. 

 But when I can obtain a turnip — preferably a Swedish turnip — I 

 always use it, because it does not blunt the razor as cork does, and it is 

 equally clean to work with. 



I cut a cylinder of turnip to fit tightly into the tube of a simple 

 microtome, in the end I make a cut into which I insert a branch of the 

 Sphagnum that is to be sectionized, and keeping it wet, cut with a razor. 

 It is not necessary to make absolutely perfect s&ctions of \.\ie Sphagnum 

 leaf in order to see the arrangement of the cells ; rather thick ones are 

 sufficient. But an essential point in examining them under the micro- 

 scope is not to put a cover glass on the object, just examine in water 

 and uncovered, any pressure rendering it difficult if not impossible to 

 see the arrangement of the beautifully delicate cells. 



Loughbrickland. H. W. LETT. 



ZOOLOGY. 



BIRDS. 



Bittern near Londonderry. 



On loth January, Mr Daniel Deeney shot a fine specimen of the 

 Bittern {BoUiurus stellaris, Linn.) at Burnfoot, about five miles from 

 Londonderry. This is another rarity for the Inch district. 



Londonderry. D. C. Campbei<i*. 



Grey Phaiarope on Loug^h Foyle. 



On tSth September last Mr, Asshmur Bond shot a Grey Phaiarope 

 {Phalaroptis fulicarius, Linn.) on the shore of Lough Foyle, near Eglinton. 

 Londonderry. D, C. CAMPBEl^if. 



Supposed Reed Warbler In Co. Tipperary. 



On reading Mr. Gleeson's description of the Warbler he saw on 

 May 4th {Irish Mat., vol. viii.^ 1899, pp. 161, 267), it occurs to me 

 to ask him if he is acquainted with the Garden Warbler, which breeds 

 regularly at Castle Lough and elsewhere on the shores of Lough 

 Derg. Its haunt is not however the reedy shores, but the leafy 

 branches and the masses of briars in which it nests. As regards the 

 bright 5^ellow-green birds seen with Tits, it may not be amiss to point 

 out that in September Willow-wrens turn very yellow ; but if Mr. 

 Gleeson would send a specimen now and then to Dr. ScharfFat the 

 Science and Art Muceum, Dublin, he would not only enhance the skin 

 collection, but get his birds identified. The distribution of the Warblers 

 in Ireland is little known, birds of that group being so fond of evading 

 observation, and I shall be indebted to Mr. Gleeson if he can add to the 

 facts stated in my paper on the " Distribution of Birds breeding in 

 Ireland" in the Irish Naiuralisl, 1897, pp. 64-73. 



Cappagh, Co. Waterford. R. J. USSHKR. 



