The Zoologist — November, 1866, 479 



it was shot. It was an adult male, in magnificent summer plumage. 

 About half of the contents of the stomach consisted of feathers, the 

 other half of the remains of fish, among which were some small pieces 

 of gravel and the claws of large beetles. The diver was shot from the 

 land, and was approached in the usual mannei', that is, by running 

 while the bird is under water and lying hid as long as it is upon 

 the surface. This specimen also was in fine summer plumage, which 

 would have been perfect but for the few white and brownish feathers 

 about the base of the bill, 



Henry L. Saxby. 

 Baltasound, Sbetland, May 31, 1866. 



Ornithological Notes from the County Dublin. 

 By Harry Blake-Knox, Esq. 



(Continued from S. S. 300). 



June — September. 



Stoallow. — After the fine weather of the last few weeks (June 1st) 

 rain has come in abundance, with a furious gale from the east. The 

 poor swallows are suffering greatly to-day for want of food to feed their 

 young. I saw some dozens hawking over a large pond, formed by one 

 of our worhed-out granite quarries : many took the Coleoptera from 

 the surface, like gulls, dipping merely the beak ; others quite alighted 

 on the slime and awkwardly walked about picking up the insects; 

 while others again searched in sheltered nooks and amongst the stones 

 for food. No insect could have lived on the wing such a day. I 

 think it is generally believed that the swallow feeds essentially on the 

 wing, but I see beyond doubt that, if compelled, it can feed in a much 

 less dignified manner. The sudden dip taken by the swallow into 

 ponds I chiefly found to be for the Coleopterous insect called "whirly- 

 gig," and not, as we read, to drink, though undoubtedly this is a way 

 of drinking, although I most frequently find them alight to drink. 



Martin. — The mud chiefly used by the martins is that from roads, 

 the hoof-piints being that preferred. By watching the birds collecting, 

 through a glass, I found a kneading process carried on, the mouth 

 being filled, and that taken in ejected and then heaped on top of the 

 upper mandible. Some birds shot in the act had the mouth full, as 

 well as the top of the bill heaped to the forehead ; a glutinous 



