300 [Proc. B.N.F.C., 



observed on five occasions on the meadows. Both the barn-owl 

 and the long-eared owl have been found, the latter being much 

 more common in the North of Ireland than the former. Of 

 the birds of prey, the little merlin has once been shot on the 

 meadows, and the kestrel and sparrow-hawk are frequent. The 

 reader commented on the senseless destruction of the kestrel by 

 ignorant gamekeepers, this bird living principally upon mice, 

 and being, therefore, of great service to farmers. He described 

 one occasion when he saw a sparrow-hawk pursue and kill a 

 pipit a few feet from where he was, and then proceeded to speak 

 of the differences between falcons and hawks. A falcon has long 

 wings, short thighs and tarsi, comparatively robust toes, with 

 powerful claws, and always has a dark eye. A hawk has short 

 wings, long thighs, and slender tarsi and toes, and invariably 

 has a coloured eye, usually yellow or orange. Wild geese are 

 sometimes met with on the meadows, and have been observed, 

 Mr. Thompson being quoted in corroboration ; while the mute 

 or tame swan is occasionally seen. Wild duck, teal, and 

 wigeon frequent the meadows when flooded in winter, and 

 afford excellent sport to many sportsmen who wait for the 

 evening flight. Mr. Patterson next gave extracts from his 

 notebook illustrative of the habits of the lapwing, or green 

 plover, the flocks of these birds showing a regular tendency to 

 increase towards the end of January, for which he gave the 

 reason. Snipe are frequent on the meadows, and many are shot 

 every year. Of the waders, curlew and redshank occur — the 

 former is frequently seen, large flocks being often heard passing 

 at night. The black-headed gull is often to be seen inland, and 

 is of great service to farmers, as it devours large quantities of 

 grubs and worms. In winter it loses the black head. Mr. 

 Patterson concluded by saying that he hoped he had shown it 

 was not necessary to go very far from home to observe the 

 wonders of bird life. 



The paper elicited a number of questions about the birds 

 mentioned, and some additional facts about bird life in the 

 neighbourhood of Belfast. Mr. John Hamilton stated that the 



