NELIGAN ON SKUAS AND OTHER BIRDS ON KERRY COAST. 41" 



tell me that they do not observe them during the winter months ; their 

 observations, however, are not very close or accurate. 



" During the first week of last November I shared in Mr. Warren's 

 good fortune in procuring in Tralee harbour a specimen of the Bridled 

 Guillemot in very good plumage. This bird was also stuffed for me by 

 Mr. Glennon. While the October gale continued several grey Phala- 

 ropes were observed near Bleunerville (which town, as you know, is 

 situate at the eastern extremity of Tralee harbour) ; they were gene- 

 rally seen on a small lake, formed by the back-water of the ship canal 

 running up to Tralee. I was fortunate enough to get one of them, but 

 unfortunate in missing a red-necked Phalarope which we saw on the 

 same lake. We saw his plumage most distinctly. I did not hear that 

 any one shot him. 



" Before concluding, I wish to mention that I have strong reason to 

 think that we have on the sea face of Sybil Head, and in its immediate 

 vicinity, a species of Pigeon quite distinct, in plumage at all events, from 

 the ordinary Bock Pigeon. I have never had an opportunity of noting the 

 markings of the Spotted Pigeon, of which I have heard, but I am very 

 sure that whenever we do procure one of the birds I have alluded to, 

 the plumage will be found to be very distinctly spotted. I hope, with 

 a little exertion, to ' bag' one of them during the coming summer ; if I 

 do succeed, I shall send the bird up to Mrs. Glennon to be stuffed, and 

 shall at the same time apprise you of the fact, so that I may have the 

 advantage of your experience in coming to a conclusion as to whether 

 this is a distinct species. 



" I have to apologize for troubling you with so long I letter ; but it 

 occurred to me that it would be satisfactory to your Society to have the 

 result of as many contemporary observations along the coast during the 

 migratory season of the Skua tribe as you can procure. 

 " My dear Sir, very truly yours, 



" J. C.Neligan. 



" William Andrews, Esq., Sfc." 



The President said that Mr. Warren's, Mr. Foot's, and Mr. John 

 Chute Neligan's papers were of interest, as giving such additional facts 

 with regard to the migration of the Skuas, and of the occurrences of 

 others of the pelagic birds, that were generally and hitherto recorded 

 as of rare appearance. It is only through such attentive observations 

 throughout each season of the year that we can arrive at any accurate 

 statistics of the periodical visitants, or even of residents amongst the 

 birds of this country. He was aware of many rare specimens that had 

 been noticed, particularly with regard to American birds. The bold- 

 ness of the Skua, alluded to by Mr. Neligan, was fully equalled by that 

 of the Great Shearwater (Puffinus major) ; for, during a season, when they 

 visited Dingle Bay in vast numbers, they were readily captured by the 

 fishermen when hauling their lines. Mr. Neligan has referred to the 

 locality of the Spotted Pigeon (Columba maculoria) at Sybil Head, in 

 the county of Kerry. It is the only mentioned place in this county 



