Some of our Rarer Birds and their Nesting Habits. 13 



species. Many islands not far remote from continents harboured 

 an avi-fauna markedly individualistic and differing widely from 

 that of the neighbouring mainland. The subject of economic 

 ornithology had received scanty recognition in this country. It 

 was admitted that most of their birds were invaluable to man, 

 but as to the usefulness or otherwise of certain species opinion 

 was divided, and the subject demanded thorough and scientific 

 examination. The skill displayed by birds in the construction of 

 their nests and the assiduity with which they tended their young 

 broods must command the admiration and respect of all. 

 Almost 19,000 species of birds were now known to science, and 

 of those nearly 300 were awarded a place m the Irish avifaunal 

 list. The lecturer then proceeded to give a most interestmg 

 description of the following birds and their habits : — Golden 

 eagle, peregrine falcon, whinchat, siskin, crossbill, chough raven, 

 dipper, tree-sparrow, kingfisher, nightjar, waterrail, woodcock, 

 red-necked phalarope, Canada goose, scoter, red-breasted mer- 

 ganser, gannet, Sandwich tern, Manx shearwater, and red throated 

 diver. 



The lecture was illustrated with about fifty lantern slides, 

 together with specimens of birds from the Thomson collection, 

 and was followed throughout with close attention. 



THE CELTS ON THE CONTINENT AND IN 

 IRELAND." 



By Mr. John M. Dickson. 



{Abstract). 



Mr. Dickson, in the course of his paper, said in a busy com- 

 munity like theirs but few had time to study such a complicated 

 subject as ethnology. Too many seemed willing to accept without 



