124 BTTBLIN NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. 



wounded a gull on the Moyview store, and, from its large size, I consi- 

 der it a young bird of this species, 



Kichardson's Skua {Lestris RicJiardsonii). — Skuas are often seen in 

 very large numbers in October, on their passage to the south-west ; but 

 whether on a regular migration from more northern countries, or merely 

 a change of feeding ground from one part of the coast to another, I will 

 not take upon myself to determine, but leave the question to be solved by 

 those of greater experience in the migration of sea birds than I am myself. 

 My brother, Mr. E. H. Warren, who resided at Bartra from 1851 to 

 1855, observed them every October during his sojourn there on the pas- 

 sage towards the south-west. They always appeared to come from the 

 open sea, and, when holding that course, invariably crossed the island 

 of Bartra. In some years they appeared in greater numbers than at others ; 

 but we never remarked them so numerous as ia October, 1851. "We first 

 observed them on the 8th of the month, when two flocks, of eight and 

 nine birds, were seen flying towards the south ; and again, on the 15th, 

 we counted seventy-two as they came from the open sea in small de- 

 tached flocks, at irregular intervals of time. On the 16th, we saw up- 

 wards of a hundred pass in a very short space of time ; and as we were 

 only able to watch them for about two hours each day, it is very pro- 

 bable that what we saw formed but a very small portion of the flocks 

 which passed over the island. Several of the Skuas appeared fatigued, 

 and would occasionally rest on the water for a few minutes ; but im- 

 mediately after would rise from it, and follow the course of their com- 

 panions. It was singular that, although there were plenty of gulls on 

 the sands, and flying about while the Skuas were passing, that they 

 never attempted to chase any while we were watching them. We re- 

 marked a good many adult birds, with light-coloured throats and bellies, 

 and long taUs, amongst the various flocks which came close by us ; but 

 by far the greater number were dark-coloured, immature birds. I shot 

 one of the latter, as a small flock of four or five fiew past me ; and, as 

 I was in some doubt as to the species, I forwarded it to my lamented 

 friend, the late William Thompson, of Belfast, who, in answer to my 

 queries, pronounced it to be Richardson's. In September, 1855, 1 shot 

 another young bird, which I sent to my friend, Dr. Harvey, of Cork, and 

 I believe it is preserved in his fine collection of our native birds ; since 

 then I have killed two or three others, and all have proved to be Rich- 

 ardson's. 



Pulmar Petrel {Procellaria glacialis). — On the 24th of January, 

 1857, I found an immature bird of this species thrown up dead on the 

 Moyview shore ; it was quite fresh, and had apparently died only a few 

 hours before being discovered. The specimen was forwarded to Dr. 

 Harvey, of Cork. 



Great Shearwater {Puffinus major). — On the 22nd of August, 1859, 

 when at Downpatrick Head, I received an immature specimen of this 

 bird from a man who found it left on the shore by the receding tide a 

 few hours before ; it was quite fresh, though the plumage was in bad 

 order from being tossed about by the waves. 



