98 The Irish Natvralist. June. 



Bank, Lucifer Shoals, Tuskar, Coningbeg, Hook Tower, and 

 Old Head of Kinsale, extending along a coast -line of over 

 200 miles. 



The following are extracts from letters, etc. 



Waterford. — Mr. Peter Grifhn writing on March 30th, 

 says : — "Last night, between ten and twelve, an extremely 

 large number of birds was seen hovering round the city. 

 The telegraph wires along the quay were full. Where there 

 was any light in a window they were dashing against it. A 

 post-ofhce official opened a window and a number of birds 

 flew in. A postman when cycling across the bridge said 

 that the birds were so numerous that he was struck by them 

 several times. Between four and five in the morning they 

 appeared like a cloud which covered several miles, and 

 jiew in a N.E. direction} Many remained about the city. 

 Hvmdreds were found dead, especially along the quay. 

 Those that were caught could only fly two or three feet. 

 The majority were Starlings, but many were like the Thrush, 

 and some Blackbirds. An Oyster -catcher was captured." 



Another Waterford correspondent, Mr. Friel, says : — 

 "Last night, March 29th-3oth, about ten o'clock the Curlew 

 were passing over the town and crying far more than usual. 

 While the men were working at the new bridge with flare 

 lamps many hundreds of Starlings came fluttering round. 

 The birds were in thousands on the tarpaulins along the 

 quay, opposite the post office. In addition to Starlings, I 

 hear one Field-fare was found." 



New Ross. — A correspondent of the Freeman'' s Journal, 

 writing on March 30th, says : — " About ten o'clock, last 

 night a swarm of Starlings, numbering several thousands, 

 descended on the town, filling the streets, houses, and yards. 



" Numbers got into the houses, and broke the windows 

 in their flutterings, whilst vast numbers dropped on the 

 river Barrow, beside the gas-lights, and were drowned." 



A correspondent of the Daily Express at New Ross 

 stated that : — " The strange visitation of Starlings, which 

 created such interest, continued, but in smaller numbers, 

 till April 2nd, on the night of which several were killed." 



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'The italics an.' in all cases mine, — R.M.B, 



