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OCCASIONAL NOTES. 
Tur Narurat History or Donecau.—The paper on the Natural 
History of Donegal, by Mr. James A. Mahony, which you have introduced 
to the readers of ‘The Zoologist,’ has attracted my attention, as well by its 
style as by its statements; and taking as I do some little interest in Irish 
Natural History, it would, I believe, be prejudicial to the cause of truth 
were some of its passages allowed to go unnoticed. The descriptive 
paragraphs on the Physical Geography, Geology, and Botany of Donegal 
would be more appropriately criticised outside the pages of ‘The 
Zoologist ;’ but coming to the list of Mammalia, and neglecting its 
omissions, we are informed that “The Squirrel, Ferret, Fox, Weasel, Bat 
and Hedgehog are often to be seen, and it seems to be quite true that 
there are no Toads, Moles or Snakes in Ireland.” If the Squirrel has 
reached Donegal, it is quite a new locality; and if particulars were given 
as to when, where, and by whom it was seen, the information would be 
more valuable. The Ferret is not wild in Ireland; and Thompson’s 
cautious statement as to the Weasel has rather been confirmed than 
controverted of late years. The Natterjack Toad is found near Dingle, 
County Kerry. As to birds, it may be said that the casual manner in 
which the Tawny Owl is alluded to shows rather Mr. Mahony’s ignorance 
as to its great rarity in Ireland than the accuracy of his observation. ‘The 
Sedge Warbler is generally regarded as the “Irish Nightingale,” and not 
the Thrush; and the curious assertion about the “ Common Crane” is no 
doubt correctly explained in the Editor’s note——Ricuarp M. Barrineron 
(Fassaroe, Bray, County Wicklow). 
Naturat History or Donecat.—Allow me to offer a few remarks 
upon the notes on County Donegal, published in your last number (p. 149), 
as I think it very desirable to correct some errors in the zoological part. 
In the first place, I and other Irish naturalists would be much obliged to 
Mr. Mahony if he would inform us in what part of the county Squirrels 
are found in a wild state, and whether he himself saw them or took the 
statement on hearsay? So far as I know, the Squirrel is not found in 
any part of Donegal. The few Irish counties in which I have heard of its 
occurrence are Wicklow, Queen’s County (near Portarlington), and Kerry. 
By Ferret, I suppose your correspondent must mean the Marten (Martes 
abietum), which is still tolerably common in the wilder parts of Ireland ; 
and of course the Stoat is intended when the Weasel is mentioned. Here 
I will take the opportunity of correcting a mistake which has somehow got 
about—that there is an Irish specimen of the Weasel in the Museum of 
Trinity College, Dublin. This specimen I myself sent up from Tyrone, 
and received in return an intimation that it was the true Weasel, and the 
first known Irish example: it is, however, but a small Stoat. I wish your 
