220 * Bibliographical Notices. 



had attained a goodly size, the splendid kingfisher occasionally visited 

 it during autumn. Rarely do the water-ouzel and kingfisher meet 

 * to drink at the same pool,' but here they did so. So soon as there 

 was sufficient cover for the water-hen (Gallinula chloropus), it, an 

 unbidden but most welcome guest, appeared and took up its perma- 

 nent abode ; a number of them frequently joining the poultry in the 

 farm-yard at their repast. The heron, as if conscious that his deeds 

 rendered him unwelcome, stealthily raised his ' blue bulk ' aloft, and 

 fled at our approach. The innocent and attractive wagtails, both 

 pied and gray, were of course always to be seen about the pond. A 

 couple of wild-ducks, and two or three teal, occasionally at different 

 seasons, became visitants ; and once, early in October, a tufted duck 

 {Fuligula cristata) arrived, and after remaining a few days took its 

 departure, but returned in company with two or three others of the 

 same species. These went off several times, but returned on each 

 occasion with an increase to their numbers, until above a dozen adorned 

 the water with their presence. During severe frost, the woodcock was 

 driven to the unfrozen rill dripping into it beneath a dense mass of 

 foliage ; and the snipe, together with the jack-snipe, appeared along 

 the edge of the water. The titlark, too, visited it at such times. In 

 summer, the swallow, house-martin, sand-martin and swift displayed 

 their respective modes of flight in pursuit of prey above the surface 

 of the pond. The sedge-warbler poured forth its imitative or mock- 

 ing notes from the cover on the banks, as did the willow-wren its 

 simple song. This bird was almost constantly to be seen ascending 

 the branches and twigs of the willows {Salix viminalis chiefly) that 

 overhung the water, for Aphides and other insect prey. In winter, 

 lesser redpoles in little flocks were swayed gracefully about, while 

 extracting food from the light and pendent bunches of the alder-seed. 

 Three species of tit {Parus major, coeruleus and ater)y and the gold- 

 crested regulus, appeared in lively and varied attitudes on the larch 

 and other trees. In winter, also, and especially during frost, the wren 

 and the hedge-accentor were sure to be seen threading their modest 

 way among the entangled roots of the trees and brushwood, little ele- 

 vated above the surface of the water. 



*' So far only, the pond and bordering foliage have been considered : 

 many other species might be named as seen upon the trees. On the 

 banks a few yards distant, fine Portugal laurels tempted the green- 

 finch to take up its permanent residence, and served as a roost during 

 the winter for many hundred linnets, which made known the place of 

 their choice by congregating in some fine tall poplars that towered 

 above the shrubs, and thence poured forth their evening jubilee." 



The bittern, which has been observed in several localities in each 

 of the four provinces of Ireland, is now becoming scarce, owang to the 

 drainage of the bogs and marshes. A time may come when 



" Deep-waving fields and pastures green '* 

 will occupy the swampy solitudes in which it now dwells, and the 



