480 THE ZOCLOGISYT. 
at the borders of the lake.” ‘‘ Pheasants were formerly numerous 
at Portmore; now, I believe, they only exist at Shane’s Castle 
and its immediate vicinity.” ‘‘ Wild Turkeys are now nearly 
extinct, though once in such numbers at the former place; the 
breed the true copper-colour, with red legs.” 
It seems to have been formerly the fashion to introduce and 
preserve Wild Turkeys for the sport of shooting them.* 
The next work on our list is M‘Skimin’s ‘ History and 
Antiquities of the County and Town of Carrickfergus,’ 12mo, 
Belfast, 1811. In the Appendix to this little volume will be found 
(pp. 173—183) a “ List of fish found in the Bay of Carrickfergus,” 
together with lists also of the Crustacea and Mollusca. At 
pp. 196—208, we find a ‘Catalogue of the most remarkable 
Birds observed within the County of Carrickfergus.” In this 
Catalogue the Magpie and the Partridge, which were stated 
by older authors to be unknown in Ireland, are here noted as 
common. 
In the more important quarto of the Rev. George Sampson, 
entitled ‘A Memoir explanatory of the Chart and Survey of the 
County of Londonderry,’ 1814, we find ‘‘A Catalogue of some 
of the Birds observed in Londonderry” (pp. 171—177), amongst 
‘which the Kite is noted as “frequently seen hovering over 
poultry.” The Brown or Tawny Owl, considered by Thompson 
as extremely rare in Ireland, is characterised as commoner than 
the White Owl. The Magpie is said to be ‘“‘very common and 
destructive to young poultry, eggs, &c. Imported from England 
not one hundred years, now a common nuisance, and instead of 
being solitary, is becoming gregarious.” The Partridge also, at 
this date, is said to be ‘‘ common and well known.” 
The most remarkable statement in this Catalogue, perhaps, is 
that which refers to the Great Auk :—‘‘ Alca impennis, Pinguin ; 
on steep rocks sometimes; more frequent near Hornhead, in 
Donegal County.” The author does not explain how a bird 
which is impennis contrives to surmount steep rocks, and his 
statement reminds us of the equally curious one made by 
Temminck concerning this same bird, which he asserted retired 
to breed “‘upon the banks of Newfoundland,” or, in other 
** See Gilpin’s ‘ Forest Scenery,’ vol. ii., p. 74; and Jesse’s ‘ Gleanings in 
Nat. Hist.,’ lst series, }. 147. 
