24 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



Exeter the first week in November, and a Hawfinch, a very uncertain 

 winter visitor, was also taken, four or five others being seen at the same 

 time. — W. E. H. Pidsley (Blue Hayes House, Broadclyst).. 



Great Spotted Woodpecker in Ireland. — There has been a flight 

 of Great Spotted Woodpeckers over Ireland. Several specimens were 

 received from different localities during the end of October and beginning 

 of November; one from Killkeel (Co. Down), another from Doneraile 

 (Co. Cork), and others of which I have not yet ascertained the exact 

 locality. — Edward Williams (2, Dame Street, Dublin). 



Great Spotted Woodpecker in Ulster. — There seems to have been an 

 arrival of Great Spotted Woodpeckers here last autumn. The first one I 

 heard of was shot at Millide, near Donaghadee, Co. Down, on Oct. 31st. 

 It was a male in poor plumage. The second was shot at Gilford, Co. Down, 

 on the 4th November. This one was also a male, and in poor plumage. 

 Three were seen at Gilford, and, I am sorry to say, one was shot ; it was 

 being pursued and mobbed by Blackbirds. The third one was shot in the 

 deer-park. Glenarm, Co. Antrim, on the 28th November, — a female bird in 

 good plumage, — and was being pursued by several Thrushes. I saw all 

 three birds in the flesh. It will be observed that in two cases the Wood- 

 peckers were being followed and attacked by other birds. I should like to 

 know if the same thing has been observed in England. It may have been 

 because these birds are uncommon here. The last one I have a note of 

 was shot at Newry, 25th October, 1886.— Robert Patterson (1, Windsor 

 Park Terrace, Belfast). 



Bittern in Co. Down. — A fine male Common Bittern (Botaurus 

 stellaris) was shot near Portaferry, Co. Down, on 3rd December. It was 

 discovered in the middle of a bed of rushes near the margin of a small lake, 

 and was put up with difficulty. A pike, 13 in. long, was taken out of its 

 gullet. This bird measured 4 ft. 1 in. across the wings. — R. Patterson 

 (1, Windsor Park Terrace, Belfast). 



American Bittern in Co. Londonderry. — I recently discovered, in a 

 small birdstuffer's shop here, an American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus). 

 It was shot on Bally ronan Moss, near Maglurafelt, Co. Londonderry, at 

 the end of October last by a farmer named Lennox ; sex not ascertained, 

 I have compared it with the illustration and description in Mr. Howard 

 Saunders's ■ Manual,' and, as it agrees in all particulars, there can be no 

 doubt about it I am glad to be able to record this rare bird. — Robert 

 Patterson (1, Windsor Park Terrace, Belfast). 



The so-called "Martinico Gallinule M in Ireland.— In preparing a 

 new edition of my ■ List of Iriah Birds,' I have done my best to clear up the 

 doubts which have long attached to a bird picked up dead near Brandon 



