478 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
bills, which I conclude are barren old birds. ‘They are common 
from autumn to spring; most abundant in autumn. I have heard 
and seen them in the Wicklow mountains in spring and summer. 
Though never able to find a nest, I think they breed there. 
Wurmsreu.—I have met with this bird in spring and autumn ; 
and in spring it is very common. In May it may be seen at 
Clontarf in considerable numbers, and any night during that 
month may be heard flying over Dublin. In autumn it is not 
nearly so numerous, and, though it may be heard passing over at 
night, the flocks are not to be seen on the shores. I met with 
one on April 1st, 1878, at Dollymount—the earliest date I have 
met with it in the spring. 
Woopcocx.—A regular winter visitor, in variable numbers. 
I met with one in May, 1873, near Lough Dan, where a friend 
found the nest containing four eggs, hard set. I have seen other 
eggs that were taken in that neighbourhood, and have heard of 
the birds being seen there during summer. 
Common Snipr.—Resident, and is increased by foreign arrivals 
in autumn. They breed in considerable numbers all over County 
Wicklow, and may be seen and heard drumming over nearly every 
suitable spot, particularly in the neighbourhood of Roundwood, 
but the nests are difficult to find. In bard weather almost all the 
Snipe met with are home-bred birds. One would be inclined to 
think these would be the first to migrate; but I have noticed | 
here, as well as all over Ireland, that the longer snow and frost 
last, the smaller is the proportion of foreign birds killed; thus 
pretty well proving that Snipe bred in Ireland do not migrate to 
anything like the extent one would suppose. I am inclined 
to think they merely shift their quarters from one part of the 
country to another. . 
Jack Snrpe.—A regular winter visitor; more numerous towards 
the end of November and beginning of December than at any 
other time. 
Bar-raiLeD Gopwir.—Common. A few may be met with in 
August, the breast still buff; after this they increase each moult 
till November, when hundreds may be seen along the coast. In 
mid-winter the flocks are larger on the shores at Shetton, Dolly- 
mount, and Clontarf. In severe winters fewer remain, hard 
weather driving them farther south. In early spring there are 
always fresh arrivals, in small flocks; these have nearly all 
