TI2 



The Irish Naturalist. 



July, 1918. 



Green Sandpiper in Co. Westmeath. 



In the Irish Naturalist of January last [supra, p. 14) Mrs. I^ait Ken- 

 recorded an example of Toianus ochropus from King's County. It may 

 be interesting to note that nearly a month later a specimen was secured 

 near Killucan by a party whilst snipe shooting. This, killed on December 

 14, 19 1 7, I am told was an adult male. It is being preserved by Williams, 

 Dublin. As far as I can gather no other occurrences have been reported 

 from Co. Westmeath within recent years. 



Fred. S. Beveridge, 

 Lt. 3rd Bn. Royal Scots. 



The Barracks, MuUingar. 



Snow Geese at Mutton Island, Co. Galway. 



Mr. John Glanville, of Mutton Island lighthouse informs me that on 

 December 5th, 191 7, he observed 12 " White Geese " flying eastwards ; 

 and in subsequent letters about the birds he told me that they were 

 slightly larger than Brent Geese and smaller than Barnacle Geese, and 

 were pure white, except that at least one had black on the wing. 

 The birds were under observation through a telescope for about ten 

 minutes. There seems to be no doubt that they were Snow Geese 

 [Anser hyperhoreus hyperboreus). 



William Ruttledge. 



Hollymount, Co. Mayo. 



Incubation Period of Birds. 



I am very anxious to collect information as to the incubation period 

 of tliosc British Birds which nest witli us, but so far, though 1 have 

 consulted most available works, I have not seen any mention of this 

 feature, cxccyit in one, which casually records that the incubation period 

 of wild birds {i.e., exclusive of the domestic fowl and duck) varies iwnw 

 ten days to as many weeks. 1 am myself studying to try to obtain 

 the exact periods, but at present am unable to devote all the time I 

 should like to observations, and therefore I would be very pleased if 

 any reader wlio lias already determined this question would (with your 

 permission) inform me through the pages f)f this Magazine, of tlie results 

 they have arrived at. I think that information of this kind would be 

 of special value to those who ar(> marking birds for tlu> " P>ritish Birds " 

 Scheme. 



llKrF.N M. K'ait K'I'.kr, 



lui field. Co. Meath. 



