1889-90.] 211 



The third communication was on the recent occurrence of 

 the Stock Dove in the County of Antrim, and was also brought 

 forward by Mr. Praeger. He said that in consequence of a 

 letter in one of the local papers reporting the breeding of the 

 Stock Dove (Columba cenas) near the town of Antrim, in May 

 last, he was requested by the committee to examine into the 

 matter and to report to them concerning it, which he had now 

 much pleasure in doing. The nest in question was found in the 

 deer-park of Viscount Massereene by the Rev. J. Gordon Holmes, 

 Vicar of Antrim, who, in response to enquiries, kindly sent one 

 of the eggs for identification, accompanied by a detailed descrip- 

 tion of the nest. These were forwarded to Mr. J. E. Harting, of 

 London, who pronounced them to be undoubtedly those 0; the 

 Stock Dove. The nest which lr. Holmes found was situated in 

 a hole among the roots of a large elm which formed a tangled 

 mass on the edge of a steep bank ; it consisted of a few twigs 

 and roots, and contained two fresh eggs. 



The Stock Dove was first found in Ireland by Mr. Thomas 

 Darragh, of Belfast, in 1875, when two birds were shot near 

 Dundonald, Co. Down. The next year another specimen was 

 obtained in Co. Down, and in the following spring this species 

 was found nesting near Dundonald by Mr. Darragh, and in 

 Ravensdale Park, Co. Louth, by Lord Clermont. 



It had now been authentically discovered breeding in Co. 

 Antrim, and its further spread in Ireland would be watched 

 with interest. 



Irish specimens of the Stock Dove, and of its congeners, the 

 Rock Dove and the Ring Dove or Wood Pigeon, were exhibited. 



The election of several new members brought the evening's 

 proceedings to a close. 



The third meeting of the Winter Session was held in the 

 Museum, College Square North, on Tuesday evening, 17th 

 December — the President (Mr. William Gray, M.R.I.A.) in the 

 chair — when two communications were brought forward. The 



