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 ijth, 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 soth. 



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." 



