ICTEBINE WARBLER. TA 



in Ireland the bird is extraordinarily rare. But it does seem 

 strange, however, that, in comparatively recent years when 

 work at Irish light-stations has been receiving such special 

 attention, no other specimen, save the one which I have been 

 sent, has been recorded from a light-station. One hardly can 

 expect to carry much conviction by advancing the argument 

 that the sombre plumage of the Icterine Warbler and its close 

 resemblance to a large Willow-Warbler diminished its value in 

 the eyes of the light-keeper to such a degree that he did not 

 consider it worth his while collecting and forwarding it for 

 identification, especially when we remember that its near ally, 

 the Melodious Warbler, very like it in plumage, together with 

 several other rare plain- coloured W T arblers, has been obtained, 

 as recorded by the late Mr. Barrington.* Still, there may be 

 something to be said in favour of the argument that, when 

 a rare species bears a close resemblance to a very abundant 

 species, the former is apt to be, at least occasionally, cast aside 

 as of no value. A case in point is to be found in that of the 

 Meadow- and Tree-Pipit. No doubt the latter must have been 

 quite overlooked until I pointed out to the Tuskar keepers that, 

 omitting minor details, the only main distinction was to be 

 found in the difference in the length and curve of the hind- 

 claw, and that the foot of every Pipit captured should be 

 submitted to a very careful examination. Since 1912, when 

 I first discovered the Tree-Pipit at Tuskar Light-station, Mr. 

 Glanville, who is greatly interested in the differential diagnosis 

 of species, and to whom I pointed out the differences in the two 

 species as I held the actual dead birds in my hands, has sent 

 me evidence to show that the Tree-Pipit has occurred at that 

 light- station annually since its discovery. All the same, it is 

 natural that the brighter and more definitely-coloured and varied- 

 plumed birds would run less risk of being overlooked by the 

 light-keepers. But to return to the point in particular regarding 

 the rarity of the Icterine Warbler in Ireland : there is one 



* The records of rare Warblers and other birds from Light-stations, sent 

 to the late Mr. Barrington, have been published by him from time to time 

 in the pages of the ' Irish Naturalist ' and other periodicals. They are con- 

 veniently summarised and afford a ready reference in the December number 

 of the 'Irish Naturalist ' for 1912, p. 283. 



