DUBLIN NATUHAL HISTOBY SOClEir. 63 



now added. The question why this should be I leave to those naturalists 

 who have devoted their attention to the migration of birds. Were these 

 birds on their southward flight to more genial climes ? How is it to be 

 accounted for that all were males ? "We learn that the spoonbills' nests 

 only contain four eggs. Can the four alluded to have been all of the same 

 nest — and the three others, sent to Mr. Glennon, have been also from 

 one nest, as they appeared to be nearly identical in plumage ? Or, do the 

 sexes separate in the winter time, again to re-unite when the pairing 

 season arrives? 



I learn that when these birds were shot, the weather was mild ; but 

 previously there had been north-easterly gales, and they might have been 

 returning from their breeding places in the I^orth of Europe. 



Some years ago, I had three of these birds alive, which were at first 

 kept in a small enclosure, and subsequently enlarged on the ponds at 

 Drumcondra Castle, which were wired around ; they throve very well, 

 wading along the edges, feeding on various substances, and with the 

 waterfowl on a mixture of bran, potatoes, and oats ; I do not recollect 

 that anything else was supplied to them : after some time they escaped, 

 but how I cannot tell ; one thing I particularly remember, that it was 

 very unpleasant to handle them, from the very disagreeable odour at- 

 tached to them ; and that they were covered with parasites, which ran 

 about on the hands, if the birds were laid hold of. I shall now conclude 

 by urging on the Members to exert themselves among their friends in the 

 country, by which means many rare objects of natural history may hh 

 secured, and thus complete our museum of natural history. 



FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 1861. 

 William Andrews, M. K I. A., President, in the Chair. 

 F, J. Foot, A. M., G. S. I., read the following paper : — 



NOTES ON THE ASTEJEACEA OF THE COAST OF CLABB. 



I HAD the honour in February, 1860, of communicating to the Society 

 a list of the Astrseacea collected by me at Miltown-Malbay, county 

 Clare. 



Since then I have had opportunities of examining the coast north- 

 wards as far as Galway Bay, and the present notice contains a list of all 

 the species that have come under my observation. 



I have identified the species, twelve in number, contained in this list, 

 by the aid of Gosse's book, on the '' British Sea Anemones and Corals." 



1 . Actinoloha Diantlms. — The Plumose Anemone. This species occurs 

 rather sparingly at Spanish Point, Miltown-Malbay, and not at all at La- 

 hinch or Liscannor. At Miltown I only saw it in one pool, where it was 

 tolerably abundant, attained to a considerable size, and was of a brownish 

 salmon-colour. About Bally vaughan it is very abundant, and may be seen 

 at low water, hanging from the ledges of rocks and boulders which are 



