476 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
The Crane (which, in the time of Giraldus, was so numerous 
in Ireland that flocks of a hundred and more might often be seen) 
is included as a bird of passage with the remark that ‘‘ during 
the great frost of 1739 some few Cranes were seen in this county, 
but not since, or before, in any person’s memory.” 
In Smith’s ‘ History of Cork’ will be found a Catalogue of 
the Birds observed in this county (pp. 8325—354). ‘‘ For catching 
Larks,”’ the author says, ‘‘ the Hobby is let fly, and soars in the 
air above them; the Larks, spying their mortal enemy, lie flat on 
the ground, and so are easily taken in nets drawn over them. 
This sport is called ‘daring of Larks.’” It is often mentioned 
by old writers, and is referred to by Shakespeare. The sport 
is doubtless of some antiquity; but it should be noted that 
Dr. Smith does not affirm that it was practised in the County of 
Cork, or indeed in any other part of Ireland, where, according to 
recent observation, the Hobby is an extremely rare bird. The Gos- 
hawk is included and described (p. 327), although, according to 
Thompson, it cannot with certainty be included in the Irish fauna. 
The Common Brown Owl is also included (p. 328) as well 
known, feeding on mice, and in the evening destroying rabbits ; 
although Thompson states that, if included at all in the Irish 
fauna, it must be considered extremely rare. Dr. Smith never- 
theless distinguishes the sexes of this bird, describing one as 
brown, the other grey. 
The Heath-cock, or Black-game or Grouse, Tetrao, seu Uro- 
gallus minor, is noticed as “frequent, and needs no particular 
description. It inhabits mountains, and is rarely seen in lower 
heath grounds. The cock is almost black, but the female is 
coloured like a Woodcock or Partridge.” This description, as 
remarked by Thompson, would be decisive as to the species if 
taken from native birds, but it appears to be borrowed from 
Willughby. 
Three species of Wild Pigeons are recorded as occurring in 
the County of Cork, including the Stock Dove, C. @nas sive 
vinago, although Thompson believed it to be unknown in Ireland. 
It is included by Dr. Rutty, however, in his ‘ Natural History of 
the County of Dublin,’ to which work we shall have presently to 
refer, and of late years it has certaiuly been proved to be at least 
an occasional visitor to Ireland. Lord Clermont, for instance, 
has recorded its occurrence in the County of Down in October, 
