200 The Irish Naturalist November, 191 1. 



coast of Ireland, Mr. Farran says " Calanus finmarchicus is moderate or 

 scarce in February, very abundant up to 20 or 30 miles from shore in 

 May and August, becoming moderate again in November. Off Cleggan, 

 Co. Galway, the increase in numbers appears to begin in March and to 

 reach its maximum by the end of April, after which the numbers decrease 

 grachially being very low from September to February." 



The value of Mr. Farran's work is greatly enhanced by the excellent 

 series of maps which accompany each part. These show at a glance the 

 limits of the occurrence of each species, and tlie localities where it has 

 been found in the greatest abundance. The preparation of the maps must 

 have involved a great amount of painstaking labour, antl the result is 

 all that could be desired ; they are at once elaborate and clear. 



Colin M. Selbie. 

 National Museum, Dublin. 



Black-tailed Godwits in Cos. Wexford, Waterford and Cork. 



I have had under observation for thirteen daj's, 27th Sept. — 9th October, 

 some birds which I will describe as I saw them. They were on the mud- 

 banks of the estuary of the Colligan River, at Shandon near Dungarvan, 

 and appeared fully twice as large as the Redshanks beside them, but not 

 quite so big as Curlews. They did not carry themselves huddled up with 

 the head drawn back, like Curlews, when walking, but were slim and 

 graceful. The beak was long and straight, its prominent part looking 

 pink in the sunshine ; and in feeding the beak was rammed down into 

 the mud, so that the eyes were occasionally submerged. The top of 

 the head was very dark, there was a light streak or band over the eye, and 

 the chin and cheeks were also light -coloured ; the neck and shoulders 

 were chestnut or rufous brown. There was a white bar along the middle 

 of the wing, while the rump and tail were white, except a broad band of 

 black across the end of the tail. The belly and under tail-coverts were 

 also white. Since writing the above description we have shot two 

 of the birds which prove, as I expected, to be Black-tailed Godwits. 

 They are immature, but full-grown birds, a male and a female. After 

 these were shot T saw six survivors. I learn from my friend. Major 

 Barrett-Hamilton of Kilmanock, Co. Wexford, that others occurred near 

 his place (which is close to Waterford Harbour), on Sept., 22nd, and that 

 one of them has been shot. In August, 1901, Captain L. A. Otway shot 

 two out of a considerable number on Wexford Harbour, and Mr. W. B. 

 Barrington observed a flock in October, 1909, and again in February, 

 191U on Cork Harbour, one of which was shot. 



These Godwits should be looked for in August and September, the 

 months in which they most frequently visit us. They are irregular visitors 

 to Ireland on migration, occurring mostly on tidal estuaries, but have also 

 been repeatedly met with inland. They might easily be mistaken at a 

 distance for Curlews by anyone who did not take note of their distinctive 

 characters, or wlio had not a good glass. 



R. J. USSHER. 



Cappagh, Co. Waterford. 



