198 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



my gun to No. 8 shot, I secured the first recorded specimen of 

 that bird ever obtained in Ireland. However, in order to be certain 

 of my identification, I sent the bird by post to my old and valued 

 friend, the late Dr. J. E. Harvey, of Cork, for his fine collection of 

 native birds, but unfortunately the specimen was delayed too long in 

 the post-office, and when it reached my old friend it was in a state 

 quite unfit for preservation ; but fortunately he was able to determine 

 that it was a specimen of the true M. alba. From that time until 

 April 29th, 1893, nothing more was seen or heard of visits of this 

 species to Bartragh, but on that day, with a couple of young friends 

 whom I took in my boat to Bartragh, we came across a pair of these 

 birds feeding on a marshy flat pasture that extended from the base 

 of the sandhills to the shore of the estuary. This flat was the usual 

 resting and feeding place of any birds visiting Bartragh, and where, 

 if any birds were on the island, they were always to be met with. 

 After watching these birds for some time, I managed to secure one — 

 a fine male — but the other, after the shot, rose and flew right away. 

 At that time I had no idea that this species visited Bartragh 

 regularly, merely looking on them as uncertain stragglers ; but in 

 order to find out if such was the case, I asked my young friend, the 

 late Mr. A. K. Kirkwood, to keep a good look-out for any visitors to 

 the island, for, as he resided in Bartragh House, he had the best 

 opportunities for observing any strange visitors. However, it was 

 not until April 29th, 1898, that this species was again met with, and 

 since then, through his kind assistance while he lived, and, after his 

 lamented death, through that of his father, Capt. Kirkwood, I have 

 been enabled up to the present date to keep a record of the yearly 

 dates of arrival, and of the number of birds seen on each visit. The 

 number of birds visiting the island and the duration of their stay 

 depend nearly altogether on the state of the weather. If northerly 

 or north-easterly winds prevail at the time of passage, some birds are 

 sure to be met with, but if the weather is calm, their stay may 

 be only a few hours before they resume their northern flight ; but if 

 the wind rises to a gale, they may remain on the island for several 

 days. I now append list of dates and numbers of birds seen or 

 met with : — 



1898. — April 29th. Five birds, only remained a few hours. May 

 10th. A flock of fifteen, only remained that night. 19th. Three birds 

 seen. 26th. Two birds obtained. 



1899. — April 21st. One bird seen. May 4th. Two birds in farm- 

 yard. 



1900.— April 27th. One bird in farmyard. 



