WARREN ON SKUAS. 5 



two in November, and two in December, of different years ; and it fur- 

 ther appears that, with the exception of the one shot in Tralee Bay, in 

 1830, all were single birds. This fact, taken together with the dates of 

 their occurrence, and the fact that, with one exception (the bird shot in 

 the Phoenix Park, and which, by the way, was the first, and for a long 

 time the only, British specimen known in adult plumage), all were im- 

 mature, leads me to inter that they were stragglers from the October 

 migration. 



I think there need be no hesitation now in allowing that there is a 

 regular autumnal or winter migration of at least two species of Skuas 

 from more northern countries to our coasts ; in proof of which I will put 

 forward the following facts : — Pirst — The great flight of Richardson's 

 Skuas (noticed in my list of birds read at the meeting of the Society last 

 March), and witnessed by my brother, Mr. E. H. Warren, and myself, 

 at Bartra, on the 8th, 15th, and 16th of October, 1851. Second— The 

 fact of his observing Skuas on their passage from the sea to the south- 

 west every October during his residence at Bartra House, for a period 

 of four years,, from 1851 to 1855, both inclusive. Third — The flight of 

 Pomarines already mentioned in this paper. 



Now, in proof of a northern migration in summer, we have the oc- 

 currence of Buffon's Skua (Lestris longicaudatus) in large flocks near 

 Athlone, seen flying north, by Lieutenant Crane. On the 16th of May, 

 1 860, three birds were obtained by him, all adults ; and on the day after 

 (the 17th) another adult specimen was obtained out of a flock seen in 

 the county of Donegal. A more extended observation carried out care- 

 fully during the migratory season would, I am certain, throw additional 

 light on the habits of the Skua tribe, and I would suggest to the orni- 

 thological members of the Society the importance of establishing round 

 the coast a cordon of observing correspondents, whose united exertions 

 would go far towards working out the history of our Irish birds. 



I have next to bring before the meeting a notice of the rare occur- 

 rence in Ireland of two birds, the Bridled Guillemot ( TJria lacrymans) 

 and Fulmar Petrel (Procellaria glacialis), and at the same time beg to 

 present the specimens for the Society's collection. The former was 

 taken alive in a singular way. During the gale of the 28rd ult., whilst 

 walking on the sands along the river at low water, endeavouring to 

 obtain a shot at a straggling Skua which had loitered about the river 

 after the main flocks had passed (probably to rest after its long flight 

 from the north), my attention was suddenly directed to a Guillemot sit- 

 ting on the sand near the water. It ran on my approach, and attempted 

 to fly across the river right against the wind, but the gale was too 

 powerful for it to make any way against, and the bird was driven back 

 again to the sandbank. The moment it alighted my dog ran forward 

 and seized it before it could again take wing. It was in very good 

 plumage, and was apparently very little injured by the dog. 



On referring to Thompson's work for information respecting it, as 

 Irish, the Bridled Guillemot appears to be of very rare occurrence ; and 

 he only records two specimens as having been obtained — one by Mr. 



