64 



The Irish Naturalist. 



March, 1915. 



Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in Co. Roscommon. 



On January 21st last while shooting in Co. Roscommon, about four 

 miles from Athlonc, I came across a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker {Dendro- 

 copus minoy). He was very tame, and stayed within three yards of me 

 for several minutes. I could not make any mistake, as I have seen and 

 skinned many Woodpeckers in Africa. He ran about like a Tree Creeper 

 on the hazel stumps looking for insects. He was rather smaller than a 

 Goldfinch, I should say, speckled grey on the back and white underneath 

 — especially on the throat. The red patch on the head was very con- 

 spicuous. I visited the place several times since without seeing him again. 

 According to Ussher and Warren (" Birds of Ireland ") the last record for 

 Ireland was in 1857 (which they look upon as doubtful), and previous to 

 that in 1847, and one in 1848. 



J. FFOLLIOTT DARLING. 



The Bay, Athlone. 



Pied Flycatcher and Corn Bunting on Migration at Tuskar 



Lighthouse. 



On August i6th, 1914, at i o'clock a.m., a Pied Flycatcher struck the 

 Tuskar lighthouse lantern, and has been forwarded to me in the flesh by 

 Mr. Glanville, to whom I am greatly obliged for the specimen. This 

 is the fourth example of this species obtained from Irish light -stations 

 within twelve months time. [Vide Irish Naturalist, November, 1913, 

 p. 220, and June, 1914, p. 148.) 



Synchronously with the advent of the Pied Flycatcher at the Tuskar 

 lantern a Corn Bunting struck the glass, viz., at i a.m. on August i6th 

 last. Mr. Glanville kindly forwarded me this specimen. From what I 

 can gather this appears to be the only instance to hand of a Corn-Bunting 

 striking the lantern of a rock light -station round the Irish coast. Mr. 

 Barrington has no records in his book, but perhaps can add some since 1900 

 when his work on migration was published. 



C. J. Patten. 



The University, Sheffield. 



A Beaked Whale on the Wexford Coast. 



This species {Mesoplodon hidens) is one of the rarest of the Irish Whales, 

 only two previous records being known. With its long beak and white 

 colour in the upper surface it forms rather a striking object. In the males 

 there are two powerful teeth in the lower jaw and no others. Both of the 

 earlier Beaked Whales, which were rtiales, were stranded on the coast of 

 Kerry. During last autumn a young female specimen measuring about 

 twelve feet in length was cast ashore at Rosslare, Co. W^exford, and acquired 

 for the British Museum, where its skeleton will probably be set up. 



. R. F. SCHARFF. 



National Museum, DubHn, 



