50 
The Irish Nahiralht. 
February. 
caespitose habit, larger spores, and absence of an epithecium. It is an 
addition to the flora of the British Isles, and has not as far as I know 
been recorded for Europe. Durand made a very thorough study of the 
Geoglossaceae, mastering first the specimens in European herbaria, and 
then collecting diligently in his own country, where he discovered several 
new things. We found Micvoglossuni ayenosum in Scotland last year 
(first British record) and doubtless other species would turn up if they 
were properly searched for. They are rather late in appearing, and all 
look much alike externally. I give you Saccardo's name, not because 
I disapprove of Durand's classification, but because it is in agreement 
with that customary in Europe." 
Dublin. R. Lloyd Praeger. 
ZOOLOGY. 
Spilocryptus fumipennis in Co. Donegal. 
I wrote to Mr. G. Meade Waldo of the British Museum, asking for 
information about a cocoon, found on the mountains not far from here, 
which contained within itself other cocoons and the remains of an un- 
fortunate caterpillar of the " Emperor" Moth {Saturnia pavonia). Mr. 
Waldo informs me that the small cocoons are those of the ichneumon 
fly Spilocryptus fumipennis, Grav., whose larvae feed within the cater- 
pillar " after the custom of all such parasites, avoiding the vitals of the 
host. In this way a number of the ichneumon larvae can live in the 
the large 'Emperor' caterpillar without killing it until it has com- 
pleted its cocoon, only putting an end to its existence when they are 
ready to spin cocoons and pupate themselves." 
Coxtown, Bridgetown, Co. Donegal. Gertrude Turner. 
Gatoptria aspidiscana Hb., at Ardrahan, Co. Gal way. 
This Tortrix has been added to the list of Irish Moths by Mr. Jas. W. 
Corder, of Ambleside, who writes to me that he took a fine pair of this 
very local and usually scarce moth at Ardrahan on the 31st May last 
year. The specimens were subsequently compared with a series in Mr. 
John Gardner's collection at Hartlepool, and identified without doubt. 
Urumreaske, Monaghan. Wm. F. De Vismes Kane. 
Wanderings of a Black-headed Gull. 
A Black-headed Gull {Larus ridibimdus) was captured about December 
28th, 191 3, by a ploughman on an adjoining farm. It was ringed on 
May 17th at Ravenglass, Cumberland, as a nestling with one of Mr. 
Witherby's rings — No. 28686. 
Fassaroe, Bray. 
R. M. Barrington. 
