354 REPORT—1840. 
other country, have a primary influence on the number of indivi- 
duals of the species which are found there either permanently or 
as periodical visitants. At the same time, its natural features do 
not differ so much from those of Great Britain as altogether to 
preclude the presence of more than one, or perhaps two, verte- 
brate animals, which have a place in the British and not in the 
Irish Fauna. These are the Ptarmigan (Tetrao Lagopus) and 
Alpine Hare. For the abode of the former, it does not afford 
a continuity of mountains of sufficient altitude and of such a 
nature as this bird chiefly inhabits. The haunts of the Alpine 
Hare (Lepus variabilis) are pretty similar to those of the 
Ptarmigan, but often at a much lower elevation. 
The influence of climate is now to be considered ; and under 
this head the species just mentioned might perhaps with pro- 
priety have been included. The difference between the tempe- 
rature of Ireland and Great Britain cannot with any degree of 
certainty be said to attract to, or repel from, our island, any 
species of the British Vertebrata. Our mild winters in par- 
ticular have otherwise great influence. The Stoat (Mustela 
erminea), for instance, very rarely in winter changes the co- 
lour of its summer fur to the warmer and more attractive garb 
of the Ermine, in which it is so much better known. Even in 
the north of the island, some species considered as birds of pas- 
sage in England, except in the extreme south, are induced to 
become residents, as is the case with the Grey Wagtail (Mota- 
cilla Boarula), and to a very great extent with the Quail 
(Perdix Coturnix). Of the Grallatores, some few species re- 
main throughout the winter in the North of Ireland, although 
only to the South of England are they known at this season. 
But, above all, the mildness of our winters is such, that some of 
the soft-billed birds, which are generally able to procure an 
abundance of food, are more disposed than in the neighbouring 
island to song, and accordingly at this period of the year de- 
light us with much more of their music. 
The humidity of our climate would seem to attract to fa- 
vourite localities more Woodcocks (Scolopax Rusticola) than 
are found in any part of Great Britain, and, together with the 
great extent of bog throughout the island, brings hither to 
winter many more of the Jack Snipe (Scolopax Gallinula), 
and of the common Snipe (Scolopax Gallinago). The two 
last, above all other birds, exceed in number those found in 
England and Scotland. The indigenous Starlings and Snipes 
are as nothing compared with the numbers that pour into the 
island during autumn from their breeding-haunts in higher 
latitudes. 
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