46 The Irish NattC7'alist. February, 



The Waiwing in Co. Antrim. 



All adult female of this rare visitor was found near the Whitehead 



Station of Belfast and Northern Counties Railway on the morning of 



the Sth December, having been killed during the preceding night by 



flying against the telegraph wires on the railway line. Mr. Berkeley 



D.Wise, C.E., the chief engineer of the Company, had it sent to Wm 



Sheals, Belfast, for mounting. The latter reported that he had received 



five others for a similar purpose during the previous months a record 



worthy of note. 



W. J. C. TOMLINSON. 



Belfast. 



Siskin Breeding in the Co. Wicklow. 



A young friend, formerly a parishioner of mine, found a pair of 

 Siskins breeding this year near Rathdrum, in the Co. Wicklow. He 

 has written to me several particulars about the birds, which perhaps 

 may prove of interest to others. Two nests were found — the first on 

 Ma}' 4. This nest was taken on the 19th, and it contained two eggs, one 

 of which unfortunately was broken in the fall of the branch upon which 

 the nest was built. He carefully measured the height of the nest, and 

 wrote sa3ung it was fifty-three feet from the ground, and about fifteen 

 feet from the stem of the tree. He saw the bird taking moss from a 

 Goldfinch's as well as a Chafiinch's nest. The second nest, like the first, 

 was also found in a Scotch Fir, in the topmost branches, seventy-two 

 feet from the ground. It was placed in a fork, and well hidden. The 

 old birds were very fearless. Indeed, the hen bird was so tame that she 

 went on the nest first found several times when he stopped shaking the 

 bough. 



The second nest was less than 200 yards distant from the first one. 

 It also contained two eggs. He found it by watching the old bird 

 stealing moss from a Chaffinch's nest. He is almost certain that it 

 belonged to the same pair of birds, as he discovered it only a few daj's' 

 later. When he found it, on the 24th May, this nest contained two eggs, 

 and the same number on the 27th. 



I have frequently seen Siskins about Portlaw — several times in small 

 flocks in the surrounding woods during winter, and again in smaller 

 numbers in spring. I have little doubt but that they breed in this 

 neighbourhood, though I have never found the nest. I had never heard 

 of the Siskin's thieving propensities, until my young informant wrote 

 me word. I may mention that he is a most accurate and careful 

 observer, and while he lived in my parish gave me a good deal of help 

 in natural history. Three years ago he brought me numerous cater- 

 pillars and pupae of Qinistis quadra, and showed me a great many larvae 

 feeding on lichens on Oak, Beech, and Whitethorn. A most interesting 

 and detailed account of the Siskin, its life history, breeding habits, and 

 distribution, is given by Mr. Ussher in his " Birds of Ireland." 



WiiyiviAM W.Fi,e;mYng. 

 Coolfin, Portlaw. 



