1962. ' Notes, 175 



Gadwall in Co. Clare. 



On the 4th March last I obtained a line specimen of a male Gadwall 

 {Anas strepera, Linn.) from my friend Rev. S. W. King. The bird was 

 shot at Kilkishen. Co. Clare, and the occurrence is interesting inasmuch 

 as this species has not been recorded (as far as I know) as obtained from 

 this county before. Ussher, in his recent work on the " Birds of Ireland," 

 p. 193, states that "the Gadwall has been obtained in the following 

 counties: — Kerr}', Cork, Waterford, Tipperarj^ Wexford, Dublin, Queen's 

 Co., King's Co., Westmeath, Louth, Mayo, Sligo, Fermanagh, Down, 

 Antrim, Londonderry, and Donegal." 



The Gadwall is an irregular winter visitor, and not at all common in 

 Ireland. I hope to publish more particulars about my specimen later 

 on. 



Chari^es J. Patten. 



University College. Sheffield. 



Spring Migrants. 



We have received several notes regarding the first appearance of our 

 migratory birds. At Cushendun, Co, Antrim, Rev. S. A. Brenan noticed 

 Swallows on April 2nd, and Chiffchaflfs on April 6th. At Poyntzpass 

 Rev. W. F. Johnson noticed Chiffchaffs on March 28th, the first Swallow 

 on April 9th, and the Willow Wren on April nth. From Newtown- 

 butler Rev. J. G. Parkinson-Currie reported Cuckoos and Corncrakes 

 abundant on April 24th. 



Lesser Horse-shoe Bat in Co. Clare. 



Mr. Ussher and myself visited several caves on the 23rd April last, in 

 Co, Clare, with a view to recommending their ultimate exploration 

 to the Cave Committee. When creeping into the inner recesses of one 

 of these caves belonging to Mr. M'Donnell's property, I was surprised 

 to find several rows of small black objects suspended from the roof of the 

 cavern. On holding the lamp closer to them, they began to move, and 

 thus revealed their real nature, They were specimens of Lesser Horse- 

 shoe Bat {Rhinolophiis hipposideros), about 20 of which had here found a 

 comfortable retreat, 



I brought back a few alive, which I sent to Dr. Alcock, from which 

 we shall, I hope, get some interesting details as to its food and habits. 

 This species of bat seems to be common in Western Ireland, though, 

 apparently unknown in the Bast. The first specimens found were 

 discovered in Ballyallia Cave, not far from the locality here referred to ; 

 and subsequently Mr. Foot met with it in three caves at Edenvale, near 

 Knnis, one of which may possibly be the same cave as the one above 

 described. It has since been taken in other parts of Clare, at Killarney, 

 and also near Galway. 



R, F. SCHARFF. 



Science and Art Museum, Dublin. 



