86 The Irish Naturalist. 



then I have permitted every man to hold his own belief. Now, however, 

 that I have had three seasons' experience — and indeed I might say 

 four — I would not consider myself justified in keeping silent any longer 

 on the subject. — James Johnston, Novara, Bray. 



Buff-CoIourcd Snipe (Callinagro coelestis). — Mr. W. A. Hamil- 

 ton, J. P., Ballyshannon, writes us that his brother shot near that town 

 in December last, a buff variety of the Common Snipe. We notice in the 

 current number q{W\^ Annals of Scottish Natural History a note on a similar 

 specimen shot on the banks of the Tay, in October last. 



A White Curlew (Numenius arquatus, L.) A .specimen of 

 the Common Curlew, nearly pure white, has been shot by Mr. R. Murray, 

 of Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo. The bird has been preserved and presented to 

 the Dublin Museum. — Land and Water, Dec. 31st. 



Bittern (Botaurus stellaris, L.) in Co. Clare. A fine example 

 of the Bittern has been shot by Lieutenant-Colonel Oakes in the vicinity 

 of Kilkee, Co. Clare. This is the first that has appeared this year in 

 Ireland. — Land and Water, Dec. 31st. 



Goosander (lYIergus merganser) in Co. Cork. On December 

 22nd a male Goosander was shot near Timoleague ; I have often heard of 

 these birds being procured near the coast. Is their occurrence here rare ? 

 — G. K. Donovan, Timoleague, Co. Cork. 



THE SHAMROCK— NOTICE. 



Readers of The Irish Naturalist throughout Ireland are 

 earnestly requested to forward to Mr. Colgan rooted pla7its of 

 Shamrock to enable him to complete his inquiry into the 

 .species of the national badge (see paper in our volume for 

 1892). Each plant .should be gathered in a rural district on or 

 shortly before the 17th of this month by an Irish peasant, who 

 can certify the specimen to be real shamrock proper to be worn 

 on St. Patrick's Day. The specimens, labelled with their 

 places of origin and accompanied by a statement that they 

 have been duly certified, should be forwarded, packed in damp 

 moss to 



NATHANIKIv C01.GAN, 



I Belgrave-road, 



Rath mines, 



Dublin, 



who has undertaken to cultivate the plants, and publish the 

 results in these pages. It is hoped that this appeal may meet 

 with a willing response from readers of this journal and their 

 correspondents in all parts of the country, so that a complete 

 and full collection of real shamrocks from every county on the 

 mainland, and every island round the coast may be submitted 

 to examination. 



