i82 The Irish Naturalist. September, 



II. ZOOLOGY. 

 VERTEBRATA. 



BY ROBERT PATTERSON, M.R.I.A., and NEVIN H. FOSTER, M.B.O.U. 



Naturally Birds were more in evidence than other Vertebrates. Pipi- 

 strelles were the only Bats recognised : they were seen every evening. 

 Hares were seen at Lissadill at practically sea-level ; Rabbits were 

 numerous, and natives reported Foxes and Badgers as being not un- 

 common in the mountains. 



Seventy species of Birds were noted during the six days of the excursion, 

 none of them being an addition to those recorded for the district, and 

 246 observations were made. The average number of species seen each 

 day was 41 (the numbers ranging from 37 to 44), but it must be borne in 

 mind that several of the days were stormy and unfavourable for orni- 

 thological observation, and also that at this season many of the species 

 were moulting, and consequently keeping secluded. Space will not 

 permit of the full list being given, but the following are among the more 

 interesting notes made : — 



The Mistle Thrush {Turdus visi-ivorus), was only seen twice until the 

 17th, when a flock of about twenty was observed on the mountains at 

 Gleniff. Song Thrushes (7", ??nisicus), and Blackbirds {T. metula), were 

 remarkably scarce, and the Ring Ousel {T. torqiiatus), was only seen at 

 Gleniff. A pair of Whinchats {Frathicola rubetrd), evidently breeding 

 was seen in a meadow at Glenifif, but strange to say only one Stonechat 

 (/*. rubicold), was observed during the week. 



One Dipper {Cinchis aqiiaticiis^^ was seen on the river coming down 

 from Glencar waterfall, and Tvong-tailed Tits {Acredula caudata) and Great 

 Tits {Parus niajo}-'), only once, while the Blue Tit {P. cceruletis), though 

 observed on five days, was by no means common. Pied Wagtails {Mota- 

 cilia lugubris), were noted on two days, and Grey Wagtails (/I/. 7nclanope)^ 

 on three ; Spotted Flycatchers {Musicapa griseola), were fairly numerous, 

 and all the Ilirundinida? were common. Goldfinches {Carduelis elegans), 

 were noted in two days, and large flocks were seen at Gleniff Chaffinches 

 {Fringilla ccelcbs), Linnets {Linota canuabind), and Lesser Redpolls (Z. 

 rufescens), were decidedly scarce, and only two pairs of Bullfinches {Pyrr- 

 hula europird), were seen. The Corn-Bunting {Embcriza miliaria), was 

 plentiful in the neighbourhood of Straudhill, the Yellow Bunting {E, 

 citrinella), common everywhere, and the Reed Bunting {E. schxniclus), 

 noted on three occasions. Choughs {Pyrrhocorax gracultis), were seen at 

 Glenifif, and heard at Knocknarea Glen, and the Hooded Crow {Corvus 

 comix), was observed once. The Kestrel {Falco tittnuncidus) was the only 

 bird of prey noted on five days. Among the Anatidoe, the Mute Swan 

 {Cygmis olor), was seen on five days in different localities, upwards of 

 twenty birds of this species frequenting the river near the bridge in Sligo ; 



