124 '^^^ Irish Naturalist, June, 191 3. 
this, he requests me to pubUsh this notice, as the record does not seem to 
be known to ornithologists and shows that the Gannet colony on the 
SkeUigs has been estabhshed over 200 years. 
W. M. Abbott. 
Fermoy. 
The Proportion in Numbers of White and Pied Wagtails observed 
on Migration at the Tuskar Light-Station. 
Before I took up the study of bird -migration at the Tuskar hght-station 
I was under the impression that the Pied Wagtail occurred in much larger 
numbers in Ireland during the migration seasons than did the White 
Wagtail. However, in examining the specimens which I collected, twenty- 
one in all, I found that over two -thirds w^ere White Wagtails, the number 
being fifteen, and only six Pied Wagtails. 
In the autumn of 191 1 I obtained two White and one Pied, in the 
spring of 19 12 three Pied and two White. (I should have been able to 
obtain a great many more White had I remained longer, for the species 
was only just beginning to arrive when I had to go.) In the autumn of 
1 91 2 I obtained eleven White and two Pied. Of the two species the 
Pied Wagtails appeared earlier in the spring, and later in the autumn 
I am deeply indebted to Mr. Eagle Clarke for his careful examination of 
the skins of these birds. Many were in immature garb, a phase of plumage 
when the two species are closely alike, and it requires a practised eye to 
distinguish them. 
C. J. Patten. 
University, Sheffield. 
The Irish Wild Cat. 
I do not think any evidence is likely to be obtained which will satisfy 
both Dr. Scharff and Mr. Warren as to the real character of the cat found 
by Mr. Ussher in the Irish caves. It would be well, however, to describe 
in plain language, as far as possible, for the benefit of sportsmen, game- 
keepers, and trappers, how they are to distinguish the descendants of 
the Irish Cave Cat from the descendants of the introduced Domestic Cat 
which has gone wild. 
I entirely agree with Mr. Warren as to the large size attained b)^ " wild 
tame cats." Fright and agony combined render them dangerous customers 
in a rabbit trap when held merely by the hind toe. 
Possibly an appeal in the trapping season, if made by Dr. Scharff 
through the public press, would procure for him some gigantic specimens 
of these well known " wild tame " cats. 
Richard M. Barrington. 
Fassaroe, Bray. 
