The Zoologist — July, 186'6. 303 



its early appearance with its fully fledged young in June (IStli the 

 earliest), I am inclined to think it does. It is very abundant from 

 July. Have seen it as late, and in flocks, as the end of April, and 

 many birds at this season with only one or two summer feathers on 

 the body. In late spring, and on its first arrival in autumn, it seems to 

 prefer rocks to the strand : at high water it frequently leaves the sand 

 for the rocks in winter. 



Little Stint. — Autumnal migrant; not often procured. May be 

 met with also in early winter. Is undoubtedly more common than 

 believed. 



Buffbreasted Sandpiper. — Has occurred. Very rare. 



Purple Sandpiper. — Common in suitable localities from beginning 

 of October to February. 



Knot. — Common from beginning of August till middle of April. 



Corn Crake. — Resident. Arrives abundantly from the second week 

 in April. Crakes, about the 20th of that month. I can give no certain 

 time of departure ; they are met with as late as October, and as I said 

 are resident in small numbers. I see no reason for laughing at the 

 supposition that these birds hybernate. That they migrate I am sure, 

 for I have found them dead in the sea in spring. 



Spotted Crake. — Has occurred pretty often in autumn and winter, 

 and is, I doubt not, more common than believed. 



Waterhen, Water Rail and Coot. — Resident; migrate partially. 



Gray Phalarope. — Has occurred in autumn and winter ; is rare. 



Great Wild or Hooper Swan. — Is met with in winter ; greater 

 numbers pass over the county. 



Small Wild or Bewick's Swan. — Commoner than the last. Same 

 remarks. 



Black Swan. — Has occurred in a wild state in two instances ; one 

 at Lambay, 1862. 



Canada Goose. — Occurs frequently in winter and spring. These 

 birds are so wary and hard to shoot that I do not believe that they 

 have escaped from confinement. 1 have seen large flocks, easily dis- 

 tinguished from any other by the white cravat, by which name the 

 bird is known to many shooters. On the Wexford coast it occurs 

 often, and is called the " choker " goose. 



Grayling or Graylag Goose. — Is rarely shot in winter, but perhaps 

 not so rare as believed. 



Bean Goose. — A regular winter visitor, and may be seen migrating 

 south and west from the beginning of September. They generally fly 



