NOTES FROM CO. WEXFORD. 171 



The Cuckoo was first noted on April 22nd, the Whimbrel on 

 the 26th; the Corncrake on May 8th, the Lesser Tern on the 

 14th, the Swift on the 15th (all at Fethard), and the Nightjar on 

 the 20th (at the Tuskar). Turtle Doves were noticed at the 

 Tuskar on May 7th and 23rd ; they are rare birds in the County 

 Wexford, and there is no record of their breeding here, although 

 they probably occur annually on migration. So late as May 16th 

 a flock of "Black Duck" (Scoters) were reported by Mr. J. 

 Byrne, of the Lucifer Shoals lightship. 



On June 15th a Turnstone was shot at Fethard. About that 

 date there appears to have been a considerable migration of 

 Curlews, which were noted at Fethard as " coming in the evenings 

 by thousands from a westerly direction." Throughout the month 

 of June many warblers were observed on migration at the Tuskar, 

 and on the 28th a Black Guillemot was shot near Bannon, as 

 I learn from Dr. G. B. Crawford. The same gentleman very 

 kindly gave me a specimen of the Little Stint, Tringa minuta, 

 which he tells me he shot at Dunganstown, on the Biver Barrow, 

 near New Boss, " about two years ago." The Little Stint must 

 be a rarity in the south-east of Ireland, no other instance of its 

 occurrence in the counties of Waterford or Wexford being known 

 either to Mr. B. J. Ussher or to myself. 



On August 23rd three Bavens were seen at Fethard, and on 

 several subsequent occasions up to Dec. 10th. About October 

 25th Mr. Wheelock, of Wexford, had a Hoopoe in his shop, which 

 he stated to have been killed at Drinagh, near Wexford, a few 

 days previously. 



The winter of 1890-91 was characterised by unusually, though 

 not very continuous, cold weather, and, as a natural consequence, 

 by unusual numbers of winter visitors. Starlings (which arrived 

 early in October) were again numerous, as well as Bedwings and 

 Fieldfares, the former being noted first at the Hook Tower by 

 Mr. D. Hawkins about October 10th, with the Starlings. Snipe, 

 Duck, Teal, and Wigeon were very plentiful in my district, and 

 large flocks of Green and Golden Plover have been in the country, 

 numbers of which arrived early in December. Woodcock were 

 present in at least their usual numbers ; the best bag I heard of 

 (about twenty couple) was made at Camolin. Mr. Moffat writes 

 that Lesser Bedpolls were very abundant at Ballyhyland ; but 

 I have not heard of any Bramblings. 



