324 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
exceptionally early nest may be discovered, about the middle of 
May is the time I have found the greatest number of nests with the 
females sitting. 
Gadwall, Anas stvepera.—This rare duck I have only seen here 
twice. In the first instance, in the winter of 1855, I observed five 
birds feeding on the sands at low-water on the Sligo side of the 
estuary near Scurmore; and again, on the 6th March, 1856, I shot 
an adult pair (male and female) out of a flock of seven as they were 
feeding on the Moyview shore in company with some Wigeon. The 
patch of black on the tail-coverts of the male, and the peculiar 
carriage of their heads and bills, induced me to aim at them rather 
than at the Wigeon, of which latter | killed a pair also at the 
same shot. 
Pintail, Anas acuta.—Visits the estuary every winter in limited 
numbers, associating with the Wigeon. Sometimes ten or twelve 
birds may be seen together, but the general number is seven or 
eight, probably a little family party. 
Teal, Querquedula crecca.—Seldom seen in any numbers on the 
waters of the estuary, unless driven by severe frost from their 
inland haunts. Flocks of from fifty to a hundred birds may then 
be seen on the tidal parts of the river, where they remain while the. 
frost lasts; but shortly after the thaw sets in they all return to their 
favourite feeding grounds by lake and bog. I have seen Teal on 
Rarooyeen Lake in summer, where they probably have nests 
amongst the reeds on the margin of the lough. 
Wigeon, Anas penelope.— Large numbers frequent the estuary 
and bay, sometimes arriving from their breeding haunts in Septem- 
ber. On the 12th of that month, in 1868, I saw fifty near Roserk, and 
they sometimes delay their departure in spring until April 20th. 
Sandwich Tern, Sterna cantiaca.—A regular summer visitant 
to the bay and estuary, generally making its appearance between 
the last week of March and the middle of April, though I have 
seen them arrive as early as the 20th March and as late as the 
26th April. They breed on the little bog-lake of Rarooyeen. 
1 need not repeat the particulars here, as I have already given a 
detailed account of their fresh-water breeding haunts in ‘The 
Zoologist’ for March of the present year (p. 101). 
Common Tern, Slerna hirundo.—Common; visiting us regu- 
larly every summer, but I have never seen them here before May. 
They breed on some of the flat islands in Lough Conn. 
