THE LAND-llAIT.. 315 



has doubtless migrated southwards. In all probability, the old 

 birds which without " let or hindrance " have reared their 

 brood, leave the country with them so soon as they are strong- 

 enough for the journey, as in like manner a large portion of 

 swallows depart with their first brood in the month of August, 

 when favourable weather and wind prevail. Occasional birds 

 only, which frequent stubble and potato fields, like partridge, are 

 met with at that time. Through the month of October, few oc- 

 cur, and afterwards their appearance is very rare.* The instances 

 within ten miles of Belfast noted after that time, are as follow : — 

 November 5, 1831, a small bird, probably belonging to a late 

 brood, was shot — November 1, 1834, one, and on the 19th of 

 that month, a brace, were obtained : the latter among rushes 

 on Devis mountain — December 22, 1836, "a pensioner" as to 

 flight, but in good condition, was caught on a rushy field by a 

 friend's setting-dog — December 16, 1840, a mild winter, one 

 quite strong on the wing was shot, and proved to be in excellent 

 condition — " January 10, 1788, eight or ten brace were flushed 

 among the rocks at the Knockagh, one of which was shot : it was 

 rather lean."f — On January 29, 1849, and February 1, 1821, 

 single individuals were killed. 



With respect to other parts of Ireland : — At Toomavara (Tip- 

 perary) a young bird unable to fly was once caught so late as the 

 18th of October. In the county of Wexford, land-rails are 

 always met with by sportsmen in the month of October, but not 

 in November.^ On November 6th, 1848, one was shot in the 

 co. of Cork ; twice in January, birds have been killed in the co. 

 of Dublin, || and in the first week of February 1849, one was 

 obtained in the Moyntaghs, co. Armagh. 



The plumage of the laud-rail occasionally appears very pale 



* A friend shooting at Aberarder, in the north of Inverness-shire, reported a brace 

 as shot in the third week of September 1838 ; and when there myself in 1842, one 

 was met with in a rushy field on the 25th of September : on the 3rd of October I saw 

 one quite fresh in a poulterer's shop in Edinburgh. 



f M'Skiinmin's ' History of Carrickfcrgus.' 



| Major T. Walker. || Mr. R. J. Montgomery. 



