i9i8. Notes. 173 



Gonepteryx rhamni in Co. Fermanagh. 



I saw the " Brimstone " Butterfly on my way into Pettigo on May 

 lyth ; it was a worn-out, ragged specimen. 



H. B. Rathborne. 



Dreenan, Co. Fermanagh. 



Return of the Gold-crest. 



I am glad to be able to report the re-appearance in this district of the 

 Golden-crested Wren (one of the five species locally exterminated by the 

 frost and snow of January, 1917), having seen a single individual near this 

 house on the 25th of October last, and a party of several on the 22nd of 

 November, Two of the exterminated species — the Grey Wagtail and 

 Meadow Pipit — had already re-established themselves in some numbers 

 by the close of 191 7. In the November of that year I also saw a party 

 of Long-tailed Titmice in the valley of the Urrin, but these were apparently 

 performing a local migration, as none have been seen since. The Stone- 

 chat is, however, the only bird of the five that during the whole of the past 

 twenty-two months has not been seen at all. 



C. B. Moffat 



Ballyhyland, Co. Wexford. 



A few Bird Notes from Balbrig-g-an. 



Like my valued friend Mr. Moftat, I have noticed the absence of a good 

 many birds this year. Unlike his, our birds have not all returned yet. 

 I have not seen or heard a Stonechat or a Gold-crest, and other birds are 

 notably fewer this year — such as Goldfinches and Mistle Thrushes ; it 

 may be that the aeroplanes constantly circling over this district have driven 

 them away — and indeed no wonder when what seems to be an enormous 

 eagle with outstretched wings and an awful droning seems to threaten 

 their destruction. The Crows and Jackdaws in wild confusion dash in 

 all directions to escape. On the other hand the Chaffinch " pricks " 

 nonchalantly, and poor Robin sings sweetly as before ; but the usual 

 autumn immigration of Skylarks is wanting here, nor have the Siskins 

 yet appeared off the shore. However, I have noted fifteen summer 

 migrants in 191 8, but none of our four " rarae aves," the Blackcap, the 

 Quail, the Grasshopper Warbler, and the Turtle Dove. I am now looking 

 out for the Snow Bunting, which is rare here. 



Charles W. Benson. 

 Bedford House, Balbriggan. 



