40 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



Golden Plover and Lapwings in the Moy Estuary. — The Golden 

 Plover (Charadrlus pluvialis) did not visit the sands of the estuary in any 

 numbers until the middle and towards the end of October, after which time 

 they began to increase up to the 24th, when I saw fully two thousand birds 

 in one large stand resting on the Scurmore sands : and since then they 

 have continued to haunt the banks in probably large numbers, for they now 

 have separated into two large flocks, one haunting the Moyne, and the 

 other the Scurmore sands. The Lapwings {Vanellus vulgaris) appeared 

 about the banks in their average numbers up to Nov. 20th, when they 

 visited the sands in immense flocks, more numerous than in any year since 

 1878 (the "great Lapwing year"). On the morning of the 20th Mr. A. C. 

 Kirkwood, of Bartragh, at daybreak, saw an immense flock at a great 

 height coming from a northerly direction over the bay. On reaching the 

 island they did not alight, but kept flying about for nearly an hour, when 

 they lowered their flight, and pitched on the Bartragh sands opposite 

 Moyne Abbey. To give some idea of the immense numbers of the birds 

 about, I may mention that at the time they settled down near Moyne, 

 equally large flocks were farther up the estuary, on the Scurmore and 

 Castleconnor sands, and a fourth large flock was resting on the banks 

 outside the island next the bay. Most of the birds were evidently 

 strangers, distrusting their new quarters, and so restless and easily alarmed 

 that it was impossible to get within shot of any of the large stands. Mr. 

 Kirkwood was out all day with his punt and gun, and was unable to come 

 within range of any, except a few scattered birds. I was out all day on the 

 2l8t, and was equally unsuccessful. I never met Lapwings so wild, so 

 utterly unlike their usual unsuspicious habits on the approach of a punt. 

 I was out again on the 22nd, aud, although the birds actually swarmed on 

 the Moyne, Bartragh, Scurmore, and Castleconnor sands, yet I was unable 

 to get near the large flocks, only a few scattered birds allowing my punt 

 within range. It is impossible to account for this extreme wildness of the 

 Lapwings ; the fine weather could not be the cause, for some of my best 

 days' Plover shooting on the estuary were on mild calm days, when, owing 

 to the mildness of the weather, the birds used to assemble on the sands at 

 the edge of the channels to wash and bathe, and remain until driven off by 

 the rising tide. It will be interesting to know whether a similar large 

 influx of the birds has taken place in other parts of the country, and I 

 trust that some of your correspondents will mention if such has come under 

 their notice. — Robert Warren (Moyview, Ballina). 



PISCES. 

 Blue Sharks in Killala Bay, Co. Mayo.— One day towards the end of 

 last October, as Capt. Kirkwood, of Bartragh, was walking along the sands 



