11 PREFACE. 



noted of the Pink-footed Goose, Boiler, Bee-eater, and Spotted 

 Redshank. 



The observations of the Rev. W. Warde Fowler (pp, 803—309) 

 tend to prove that the Marsh Warbler (Acrocephalus palustris), hitherto 

 regarded as a rare summer visitor to England, is in all probability an 

 annual migrant, and either generally overlooked or confounded with 

 its congener the Reed Warbler. 



Dr. Klein's researches into the nature of the so-called grouse-disease 

 have thrown a new light upon this obscure and much- debated epidemic, 

 and his book on the subject, of which a notice has been given 

 (pp. 337 — 341), should be read by every naturalist who is also a 

 sportsman. 



More attention than usual has been paid to the rarer British Bats, 

 and to the smaller Mammalia generally, during the past twelve months, 

 in consequence of which the geographical range of certain species has 

 been extended, and useful additions made to our knowledge of their 

 habits. 



Reptiles and Batrachians, to the majority of observers, are never 

 so attractive as other forms of life ; we are all the more grateful, 

 therefore, for such contributions as those of Mr. Norman Douglass and 

 Mr. G. A. Boulenger. 



Amongst Fishes, several marine species have been reported which 

 are not commonly met with on our coasts, such as the Bonito, the 

 Greenland Shark, the iEquoreal Pipe-fish, and the curious little 

 Leptocephalns morrisii, two specimens of which were found by our 

 observant correspondent Mr. Robert Warren, on the coast of Mayo. 



Amongst Crustacea, also, the same observer has met with some 

 uncommon forms on the coast of Sligo. Mr. Chichester Hart's 

 1 Notes on the Marine Mollusca of Donegal,' extending through four 

 numbers of this Journal, supply some useful additions to our know- 

 ledge of the distribution of species in Ireland. 



Nor has Entomology been altogether neglected, notwithstanding 

 the existence of Journals which are devoted to its consideration. 

 The unusual abundance in 1892 of Cynthia cardui and Tortrix 

 viridana, of the Mangel-wurzel Fly and the Mustard Beetle, has been 

 duly noted and commented on. 



The Editor, therefore, finds good cause to thank his contributors for 

 the number !ind variety of their communications during the past year, 

 and to express the hope that he may be similarly favoured during the 

 year to come. 



