282 Alexander Goodman More. [i879 



Ptarmigan in Cumberland and Wales " was written towards 

 the close of the year. He had many other bird-questions 

 on his mind, as the following two letters to Mr. Barrington 

 show. When the first was written he had been an invalid 

 for ten days. 



IN MY BED, December i*jth, 1880. 



D.B. Since I saw you, I have had a bad time of it. The old leg- 

 wound has gathered again, has burst, and is now nearly healed up ; 

 and I expect to be on my feet again next week. Very many thanks 

 for the parcel of Squirrels. I will send to Mrs. Shawe-Taylor and 

 Lady C. Do bestir yourself about the Woodcock. Ask : (i) Does it 

 breed ? (2) Are the breeding birds increasing ? (3) How long since is 

 it that they have bred ? (4) About how many pairs breed ? (5) What 

 is date of eggs being laid ? (6) When do they pair ? Excuse a Bed- 

 man. Your affectionate friend, 



A. G. MORE. 



(7) Do they carry their young ? 



. . . Do polish off that list of Blasquet plants. Only a short 

 introduction. Reference to W. Andrews and his discoveries. Then 

 the complete list, with a capital R after the scarce plants. Then we 

 can get you another grant for Lough Erne should it be ? 



GLASNEVIN, December 2oth. 



DEAR BARRINGTON, Freke has just looked in, and, if you have a 

 copy to spare, he would, of all things, like a Squirrel Essay. When 

 you were here to-day, I quite forgot to tell you I want to take up the 

 distribution of the Quail in Ireland. Will you kindly, in writing to 

 your Woodcock men, ask about the Quail on my behalf ? I wish to 

 find out 



Is it increasing or decreasing ? 



Is it a winter or a summer visitor ? Or resident ? 



I will write on my own account to several quarters, but if you can 

 pick me up some crumbs from your own richer dish of Woodcock I 

 shall be for ever obliged. Your sincere friend, 



A. G. MORE. 



He was eighteen days laid up. On the 24th he describes 

 himself as "getting well, fast/' and on the following 

 (Christmas) day " dined out at Botanic Garden. Nearly 

 well." 



