34 Nevin H. Foster on 



Nyroca ferina {Limi^). Pochard. 



A few of these birds spend the Winter on the lakes in the district. 



Nyroca fuligula (Z?;?;//). TurrEO Duck. 



Frequents the lakes annually' in Winter in larger numbei's than the 

 preceeding species. 



QIaucion clangula (Ltnn<?). Golden-eye. 



All through the month of June, 1916, a female or inmature bird of 

 this species (probably a cripple) frequented the lake in the Demesne. 

 During December, 1918, and January, 1919, a pair were seen on the lake 

 in the Park. 



Order ARDEIFORMES. 



Family ARDElDiE. 

 Ardea cinerea Linne. Heron. 



This bird which formerly bred in the district has now apparently 

 ceased to do so. It is common, however, except perhaps in the nesting 

 season. Thompson states^ that the heronry in Hillsborough Park contained 

 about 50 nests and it still nested these up to about 1900. Tlie same author 

 tells us- on the authority of Rev. J. Dubourdieu that up till about 1803 

 Herons nested on the ground in an island in Lough Aghery. It may be 

 stated that the usual nesting site of this species is high up on tall trees. 

 Its local name is " Heron-Cran " or "Cran." A nest seen in May, 1920, 

 on a tree in one of the islands in Lough Aghery from which e\ idently 

 young had been hatched is doubtless referable to this species. 



Order CHARADRIIFORMES. 



Family CHARADRIID^. 

 Scolopax rusticola Linne. Woodcock. 



The Woodcock has been known to breed in Hillsborough Park since 

 1S44 and still nests there in considerable numbers. In Winter many 

 immigrant birds inhabit the district. Size of eggs 43'5l x 33 49 mm. ; 

 average weight of full eggs 25"157 gr., of empty shells 1 '4 gr. 



Qallinago gallinago {Linne). Common Snipe. 



A common breeding species, nesting as a rule in comparatively dry 

 situations, i.e., in rushy meadows or bracken-clad uplands. Average size 

 of eggs 39 "81 X 27 '69 mm. ; average weight of full eggs 1 4 "477 gr., of 

 empty shells '8357 gr. 



Litnnocryptes gallinula (Linne). Jack Snipe. 



A regular Winter visitant, as obtains elsewhere in the British 

 Islands. 



Nat. Hist, of Ireland, Vol. II, p. 141. '^Und, p. 146. 



