304 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
motion, chasing insects about the branches and frequently darting at them 
on the wing after the manner of the Flycatcher, pausing now and then to 
give forth its splendid notes. Often, while hopping among the branches, 
it would utter some detached twittering notes, but while singing in earnest 
it would remain perched, swelling its throat and agitating its whole body. 
The song sometimes began with a few rather harsh strains, but in general 
it was quite delightful, far surpassing in clearness and melody any other 
that I have heard. Its notes, heard from the top of the large oak in which 
it was, were as powerful as the loud strains of the Blackbirds and Thrushes, 
many of which were singing near, and it seemed wonderful that such 
sounds could be produced by so smalla bird. After watching the bird for 
about half-an-hour I passed on, but, on returning to the same spot in about 
an hour's time, I could see or hear no sign of it, nor have I been able since, 
though I have frequently visited the place. As a specimen of the bird— 
the only conclusive means of proving such a case—has not been obtained, 
it is impossible to claim this as an authentic instance of the occurrence of 
the Icterine Warbler, yet the probable occurrence of so rare a bird is, I 
think, a matter decidedly worthy of note, especially in Ireland, which is 
less favoured than England by the presence of the rarer Warblers. As I 
am well acquainted with the Blackcap, and in some degree with the Wood 
Warbler, there is no fear of my having mistaken either of these for the 
bird in question, the power and infinite variety of its notes, as well as the 
yellow colour, excluding such a possibility. I have been told by the game- 
keepers that the Common Weasel (Mustela vulgaris) is found in Coollattin 
Park, having been introduced from England among Earl Fitzwilliam’s 
foxhounds. If this be the case a very interesting addition has been made 
to our Irish mammalian fauna. I will make further inquiries about the 
matter, and try to obtain a specimen.—ALLan Exxison (Shillelagh). 
Supposed Occurrence of the Icterine Warbler in Pembrokeshire.— 
Early in May I heard the notes of a bird which were quite strange to me 
in our shrubberies. The songster was high up, and concealed in thick 
foliage, and I did not catch sight of him. Since then a little bird has 
taken up his station in an ash tree just outside our grounds, by the road- 
side, at no great distance from where I first heard the unknown warbler. 
and sings a most delicious song all day long, to the delight of passers by, 
People who have once heard him return again and again to listen to his 
melody. The notes are very sweet and liquid, imitating some of the 
trills of the Song Thrush. Seen high up through the foliage of the ash, 
he looks like a Chiffchaff, and is very restless while he sings, dancing up 
and down the branch he may be upon. Occasionally he descends to lower 
parts of the tree, and then appears to be somewhat darker about the wings 
than a Chiffchaff; his breast seems of a pale yellow. He has never come 
close enough to afford me a clear view of his plumage, and I cannot take 
