448 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



final break-up of the ice before attempting to reach the shipping 

 quay. To-day I shot one couple of Cocks, and at the drains 

 three brace of Snipe, while in the morning four Wigeon, as they 

 fed near the shore, and in the evening a Duck and Mallard, as 

 they were feeding in the little muddy bay at this side of the 

 Point. 



20th. — There was but little frost last night, the snow still 

 covering the fields without any appearance of thawing. I have 

 heard of great numbers of Cocks shot along the shores of Easkey 

 and Enniscrone, as they were lying among the rocks and stones, 

 after feeding among the seaweed when the tide was out. I even 

 heard of boys knocking down with sticks a good many as they 

 rose from behind the rocks near which they were lying. 



21st. — A heavy gale last night, which has collected the snow 

 into great drifts across many of the roads, that between Castle- 

 connor and Ballina being quite impassable for either cars or 

 horses. 



22nd. — This is the first day that a general thaw has set in, 

 and is proceeding rapidly, a great relief to the poor sheep and 

 cattle, which have been without a bite of grass for twelve days. 



23rd.— The ground is at last clear of snow, having been 

 covered for twelve days, and the navigation of the river and 

 estuary closed for six days. 



And so ended the great snowstorm and severe frost of 

 January, 1807, that will be long remembered. 



