150 Guide to Belfast. 



the Lesser Shrew (Sorex mi)iiitiis). The former is common 

 everywhere, and the latter abundant, though usually over- 

 looked from its small size and retiring habits. 



Carnivora. — While the Fox (Canis vulpes) is common 

 in the Mourne mountains, it has been practically exter- 

 minated in Co. Antrim (see Irish Nat., vol. ix, 1900, p. 275). 

 From ten to twenty are caught in Tollymore Park, Co. Down, 

 every year. There is no fox-hunting in the north of Ireland. 

 The occurrences of the Marten (Alustela martes) are peculiar. 

 Not by any means common, it seems to disappear for some 

 years, and then two or three may be taken in a single year. 

 For instance, there are no records of it in Co. Antrim from 

 1884 to 1893, when three were captured in different places ; 

 nor in Co. Down from 1891 (two) to 1899. The Mourne 

 district in Down and the " Glens " of Antrim have yielded 

 most of the local records. 



The well-marked variety of the Stoat known as the Irish 

 Stoat or " Assogue " {Putoriits hiberniciis of Thomas and 

 Barrett-Hamilton) is fairly common in both counties, where 

 it is usually called " Weasel," though the true Weasel has 

 never been obtained in Ireland. Even in the north the 

 Irish Stoat seldom turns white in winter. 



In the Mournes the Badger (Meles tdxiis) is common, 

 and usually unmolested ; and there is a protected colony in 

 Glenarm Park. Around Ballycastle, Badgers are frequently 

 seen ; and even so close to Belfast as Belvoir Park one was 

 captured in October 1898. In many places the Otter (Lutra 

 vulgaris) is quite common, and is particularly numerous 

 about Downpatrick, Ballycastle, and round Lough Neagh, 

 From a small section of Co. Down we have over 30 records. 

 They are occasionally taken in the sea. The Common Seal 

 (Phoca vitulina) is often to be seen round the coast, espe- 

 cially on the Down portion. Thompson refers to 200 to 300 

 having been seen together off Ballywalter, but they are not 

 so numerous now. Seals of this species occasionally visit 

 Belfast Lough in summer and autumn. The Grey Seal 

 (Halicluvriis grypus) has also been taken in the district, but 

 is not nearly so numerous here as it is on the west coast. 



Rodentia. — The probably introduced Squirrel (Sciuriis 

 vulgaris) is quite common in certain parts of Co. Antrim — 



