1890-91.J 299 



have been found breeding in the meadows. The remarkable 

 increase of the missel-thrush was commented on, this now 

 common bird being unknown in Ireland until about the year 

 1800. Mr. Patterson gave extracts from his notebook, showing 

 the increase and diminution of these birds according to the 

 season, and next proceeded to speak of the fieldfare, which, he 

 said, builds in large colonies in Northern Europe. The whin- 

 chat, a rare and local summer visitor, has been observed in the 

 meadows, and the chief differences between it and the stone- 

 chat were pointed out. Interesting details about the migration 

 of the golden-crested wren were given, the great migration 

 waves of 1882, 1883, and 1884 being mentioned. The most 

 uncommon bird Mr. Patterson has observed on the meadows is 

 the very rare wood-wren (only obtained in Ireland three or four 

 times), and the original entry in his notebook was read. He 

 pointed out the differences between the three warblers, and how 

 they may be known apart, The grasshopper-warbler was heard 

 for the first time on the meadows last year by the junior 

 secretary of the Club, to whom the reader was indebted for the 

 information. Of the two wagtails, the grey is resident, the pied 

 partially migratory. Interesting details about the sand-martins 

 were given, these useful birds having been turned out of their 

 nests by sparrows and starlings, and having now deserted their 

 former breeding place. A pair of bullfinches bred in 1887, and 

 the other buntings were described as common. The starling is 

 an interesting bird in Belfast, owing to its marvellous increase 

 of late years, extracts from the late Mr. Thompson's book 

 showing that about thirty years ago this bird was very un- 

 common in the neighbourhood ; yet recently a flock of not 

 less than 10,000 to 12,000 starlings has been seen in a district 

 of Belfast, and the increase is still going on. Jackdaws and 

 rooks were next noticed, and a small rookery in the meadows 

 described. Mr. Patterson described the difference both in 

 structure and habits between swifts and swallows, and stated 

 that the swift, although so common here, is rare in the 

 West of Ireland. He gave in detail his notes on a kingfisher 



