" Mostly Birds'' 383 



I hope you will read carefully, and make notes on, Dixon's Migration 

 book. ... As to the torpidity of Swallows, Coues says under Chaetura 

 pelasgica (in 1884) : " It has mostly forsaken the ways of its ancestors 

 who bred in hollow trees, and now nests inside disused chimneys. In 

 primitive districts it still continues to use hollow trees, to which it 

 resorts by thousands to roost. Not impossibly winters in such retreats 

 in a lethargic state. Eastern United States, migratory, very abundant 

 in summer." . . . Do not you think that one or two such crowds while 

 roosting were overtaken by a sudden frost ? 



Returning to your Report. I do not think it should include any birds 

 beyond those which you saw yourself, or which were reported to you at 

 the time. At the end, a short summary, or mention of the most remark- 

 able species, and deficiencies, might be given ; but I do not think a full 

 list, unless it were short. . . . 



Sheridan has got a real rarity in Achill, a King Eider, verified by 

 Bowdler Sharpe, of British Museum. Two Mealy Redpolls too from 

 Achill. The White-eyed Duck* I am sure you would have liked to see 

 It was a beautiful male. I have just got a most interesting new book, 

 Abel Chapman, on "Wild Spain." Bustard-hunting, Ibex, and mostly 

 birds. Shall I send it down to you read ? As, I think you would like it. 

 And you need not be in any hurry to return Dixon. Only I want you to 

 give it a careful reading, and make notes of any objections you find to 

 the theories. ... In observing the Eagle, could you say had it an 

 altogether white tail ? 



The same unflagging eagerness for the promotion of 

 accuracy and certainty in his favourite studies continues 

 to be the key-note of his letters to Mr. Sheridan. 



(March 28th, ;<%??.) I think it will be best if your friend in England 

 will send the Glaucous Gull to Robert Warren, Esq., Moyview, Ballina, 

 Mayo, to be examined. I am quite able now to receive specimens, and 

 always glad to give you every help I can. But Mr. Warren knows the 

 Gulls better than any one else in Ireland. So let your friend send the 

 Glaucous Gull by parcel post to Mr. Warren, who will tell you whether 

 there is any doubt about the name. ... I hope that you are looking 

 out and keeping dates of the arrival of Migratory Birds. You should 

 send at once a notice of the King Eider to the " Irish Naturalist " and 

 the " Irish Sportsman." And you may as well say that it is now over 

 40 years since any specimen has been obtained in Ireland. The last 

 mentioned by Thompson was in March, 1850. You should state also 

 that your specimen has been examined and identified by Dr. Bowdler 

 Sharpe, of the British Museum, and say in whose possession, and where, 

 it now is ; and the age. I think you said an immature male, was it 

 not ? Also I hope you will send some other notes, at any time. 



* Shot in January, 1893, near Athlone (Irish Naturalist, vol. iL, p. 114). 



