290 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
of killing Woodcocks, that they used to secure several couples in 
a day. 
Snipe, Scolopax gallinago.—Common, and breeds throughout 
the district. Sometimes during sharp frosts they suffer severely 
and die off in great numbers. During the severe winter of 1854-95 
they were nearly all exterminated in this way, and it took a couple 
of years to recruit even a moiety of their usual number. Again 
in 1867 a great number were destroyed by the cold and want of 
food. 
Jack Snipe, Scolopax gallinula—Common in winter. During 
snow it occasionally collects in numbers at some favourite spring 
or sheltered stream. 
Land Rail, Crex pratensis.—A common summer visitant. 
Water Rail, Rallus aquaticus.—Resident, though seldom seen, 
unless driven by frost from its concealment in the caves along the 
banks of the streams it frequents. 
Waterhen, Gallinula chloropus.—Very common. 
Coot, Fulica atra.—Common and resident. 
(To be continued.) 
— 0p ———_ 
OCCASIONAL NOTES. 
Tue Narurat History or DonrGar.—I am indebted to a friend for a 
copy of ‘ The Zoologist’ for May, in which I see that some of your cor- 
respondents are much exercised in spirit over a paper of mine. It could 
only be a short abstract of my paper you printed, for. the whole communi- 
cation would altogether occupy about a dozen pages of your monthly issue. 
Not being able at the time to refer to authorities on British Mammals, 
I gave the local names for the animals. [saw the Squirrel, Sciurus vulgaris, 
twice in Drumonaghan Wood in 1875. Whether it was introduced into 
this county, as in the case of County Longford, I do not know, but if I can 
find out anything to that effect I will communicate it to you. We have the 
Stoat, Mustela erminea, but we have also a smaller member of the same 
genus, lighter in colour, and with no black tuft at the end of the tail. 
I expect to be able to send you a specimen of the latter very soon, that you 
may determine the species. Our “ ferret” is the Pine Marten, Martes 
abietum. ‘This animal has been seen and followed up with dogs at the 
Rouken and the Cairn, near to this village, but taking refuge in trees was 
not captured. Mr. Stewart says they take possession of the old nests of 
Magpies. He informs me that he saw a pair of Badgers in the Gap of 
