294 ^'^^ hish Naturalist, [December, 1900. 



standing in a Mistle Thrush's nest. Robins' and Wrens' nests had been 

 previously destroyed, but not since ; and for some time I have discouraged 

 the visits of Grey Crows, Magpies, and Sparrow Hawks with a gun. 



On April ist the young birds took their first fly, and until the 12th 

 we saw two or three or four almost every day. We have seen none since* 

 but hope, though we hardly expect, the}- will, favour us again next 

 February. Anyway we made their stay with us as pleasant for them as 

 we knew how. 



Bramblings were rather plentiful while the snow lasted, as usual during 

 our rare heavy snowfalls, though we never see one at other times. 

 Eight or ten came every morning to feast on some seeds provided, they, 

 like their cousms the Chaffinches, seemed little the worse for the cold. 

 I also saw Bramblings in two other places at some distance then. They 

 were equally plentiful in January, 1894, but for six years we had not seen 

 any. 



Perhaps in these rambling notes I may mention that the Swallows 

 have not all left us yet. At least three were here on November 8th. 

 The latest date I have ever seen them was November 19th, but even 

 here their appearance any time in November is unusual. 



Skibbereen. John J. Woi^fej. 



The Ruff in Ireland. 



I have read with very much interest Dr. C. J. Patten's article in the 



August number on the Natural History of the Ruff in Ireland, and 



though at present away from Ireland, cannot refrain from sending a very 



brief note on a specimen shot in August, 1895 or 1896, at Calary Bog, Co. 



Wicklow. This specimen, a female adult, was stuffed for me by Mr. 



Williams, of Dame-street, who will be able to furnish Dr. Patten full 



particulars should he desire them. I shot it in the identical spot 



where I shot two Wood .Sandpipers a year or two afterwards, this full}' 



bearing out Dr. Patten's accurate remarks about the inland migratory 



habits of the Ruff, and its partiality for heathery and peaty districts. 



As my address shows, I am away far from my ornithological note-books, 



which are locked up at my home. 



Ernest Bi,ake Knox, 

 Lydenberg, Transvaal. 



MAMMALS, 



The Vision of Cetaceans, 



In the summer of 1887 I stayed some time afthe head of Loch Alsh, in 

 Ross-shire. There was at the time of our coming there a Porpoise with 

 two young calves. The two calves were usually to be seen basking on 

 the water, with their heads and backs well above the surface. I never 

 saw them go under. There they used to lie quietly enough ; but when- 

 ever we tried to approach them they would at once begin to move away, 

 always keeping about the same distance from our boat. There did not 

 appear to be any reason for doubting that they were watching our move- 

 ments. 



Howth. W. E. Hart. 



