38 NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF DUBLIN. 



The Hon. Secretary then read the following paper: — 



Occasional Notes on the occurrence of Birds on the Shores of 

 Killala Bay and the Biter Moy. No. II. On the occurrence of 

 the Little Auk (Alca Alle, Linn.), December, 1862. By Robert 

 Warren, Jun., Moyview, Ballina. 



On a former occasion I had the pleasure of laying hefore the Society 

 an account of the Fulmar heing obtained in Killala Bay, after a con- 

 tinuance of heavy gales ; and I now have the gratification of bringing 

 under its notice the occurrence of the Little Auk under similar circum- 

 stances, and of presenting a very beautiful specimen for the Society's 

 collection. 



A succession of heavy gales from the west and north-west having 

 blown for the greater part of the week ending on the 20th December, 

 I thought it likely that some birds, worth looking after, might have 

 been driven ashore (water-logged, as is usual after a severe gale blowing 

 on a lee shore), and, accordingly, I availed myself of the earliest oppor- 

 tunity to visit the Enniscrone sands to make a close search. I first rode 

 along the high- water mark of the preceding tide, and at a short distance 

 from the village of Enniscrone I found the first Little Auk, fortunately 

 uninjured by the Gulls ; a few yards farther on I picked up a second, 

 and I then met three Puffins {Fratercula arctica) also lying dead ; and. 

 on proceeding along the sands, about a mile further, I found a third 

 Little Auk. Retracing my course, somewhat nearer to Enniscrone than 

 where I met the first specimen, I picked up the fourth bird, which is 

 now before you. On the morning of the 23rd I found a fifth Little Auk 

 lying dead on the Moyview shore, about two miles from the open bay; 

 this last specimen was unfortunately too much tornbymagpies to be of any 

 use for a collection. The five specimens found were all in adult plumage. 

 They were all apparently washed ashore by a single tide, but whether 

 any of them came to land alive I cannot say, it being several hours after 

 high water when I discovered them ; and, if any did come ashore alive, 

 it is very probable that they died shortly after landing. The fact of so 

 many being found on comparatively so small an extent of coast would 

 lead me to infer that some large flocks were off the coast at the time the 

 gale overtook them, and, in consequence, I think it very probable that 

 many more specimens may have occurred on our western coasts. 



The following paper, being the substance of a communication ad- 

 dressed by Mr. E. J. Eoot to the late Professor Kinahan, and intended 

 to have been read at the January meeting, was next read by the Hono- 

 rary Secretary. It is preceded by a few introductory words by the late 

 Professor Kinahan : — 



Record of the occurrence of the Little Auk, taken alive at Athlone, 



December, 1862. By E. J. Eoot, MA., Corresponding Member. 

 Our indefatigable corresponding member, Mr. Eoot, has forwarded the 

 annexed communication and specimen to be presented to the Society. 



