DUBLIN NATTTEAL HISTORT SOCIETY. 117 



Greenshank {Totanus glottis). — Is common in winter in Killala Bay, 

 and occasionally in summer. In May, 1851, 1 saw one on the swampy 

 shore of MuUigarry Lake, near KiUala, and as it was very noisy and 

 restless, it is probable that it had a nest. 



Black-tailed Godwit {Limosa melanura). — Is very rare ; I have only 

 seen it on two occasions. 



Bar-tailed Godwit {Limosa rufa). — Is very abundant in Killala Bay 

 in winter, and is occasionally seen in summer as late as the month of June. 

 Notwithstanding their remaining so late in the season, I have never, 

 except on one occasion, seen them assume the adult summer plumage ; 

 and that was at Bartra, on the 10th of June, 1852, when, amongst a 

 flock of over fifty birds, I remarked two which had the red breasts. 



"Woodcock (Scolopax rusticold). — Common in winter. 



Snipe {Scolopax gallinago). — Is veiy numerous. 



Jack Snipe {Scolopax gallinuld). — Is common. 



Curlew Sandpiper {Tringa subarquata). — I have seen on a few oc- 

 casions near Bartra and Killala. 



Dunlin {Tringa variabilis). — Is very common, but not so numerous 

 as in the south. I have seen them in summer on the boggy shores of 

 Lough Conn, where it is probable a few pairs breed. A few winters 

 ago, as I was returning from Bartra in my boat, I saw one of these birds 

 caught in a most absurd trap. My attention was first drawn to it by 

 seeing it repeatedly rise a short distance into the air, and on alighting 

 violently shaking its head, apparently striving to detach a round lump 

 from off the end of its biU. The bird appeared very much exhausted ; 

 and on approaching closer to ascertain the cause of its strange manoeu- 

 vres, I discovered that a cockle, of the size of a hazel-nut, was firmly 

 fi^ed to its bill, and the most violent efforts of the poor bird failed to get 

 rid of it, at least while I was observing it. It is very probable that the 

 Dunlin discovered the cockle lying open on the sands, and, when attempt- 

 ing to feed on it, was caught by the cockle suddenly closing. 



Purple Tringa {Tringa maritimd). — Is not uncommon on the flat, 

 rocky shores of the Sligo side of Killala Bay. I have killed eleven at 

 one shot near the village of Enniscrone, and I have also shot them as 

 late as the 24th of May at Kilcummin Head. 



Knot {Tringa canutus). — Is very abundant in winter on the sandy 

 flats of the bay and river. 



Land Bail ( Crex pratensis). — Is very numerous in summer. 



Water Bail {Rallus aqmticus). — Is resident, though seldom seen. I 

 have killed the young in summer in a small bog near KiUala. 



"Water Hen {Gallinula cJiloropus). — Is very common. 



Coot {Fulica atra). — Is common, and resident. 



[Addenchm to foregoing paper. — Tree Creeper ( CertJiia familiar is). — 

 The omission of this bird from the list may be now filled up. July, 

 1862, I had the gratification of observing it in Belleek demesne, and 

 watching one for some time feeding its young, in a nest built in the cleft 

 of a broken branch of a poplar-tree, about twenty feet from the ground. 

 ' — B. W.] 



