112 
The Irish Naturalist. 
April, 1906. 
Little Owl in Ireland. 
A specimen of the Little Owl {Carine noctiia, Scop.) was presented to 
the Natural History Museum, Dublin, in November, T903, by Sir 
Anthony Weldou, Bart., on whose property at Kilniorony, Athy, Co. 
Kildare, it had been caught the previous June in a trap set for hawks, 
&c. The bird had been observed in the neighbourhood in February of 
the same year, but Sir Anthony would not allow it to be shot. 
Although the Little Owl is a common European species, it is only an 
accidental visitor to England, and there is no record of a specimen 
having been previouslj^ obtained m Ireland. Little Owls are sometimes 
kept in confinement, and it is possible that the bird had escaped from 
captivity. 
A. R. Nicholas. 
Dublin Museum. 
Pied Blackbirds near Poyntzpass. 
While driving in this neighbourhood I have noticed three Blackbirds 
with white markings — one had the whole back and part of its wings 
white, the second part of the wing and tail, and the third part of its tail, 
white. It seems remarkable that there should be so many pied birds 
in one locality, and I think it worth noting. I am afraid the first has 
been shot for I have not seen it latterly. I may mention that Blackbirds 
are very numerous here. 
W. F. Johnson. 
Acton Glebe, Poyntzpass. 
Lapland Bunting in Ireland. 
On the 27th January a bird catcher brought me a bird taken in his net 
with some common Linnets near Kilbarrack Churchyard, Co. Dublin. 
I showed the bird next day to Mr. R. M. Barrington, who confirmed my 
opinion that it was a Lapland Bunting {Pledrophanes lappojiicus), a male 
in winter plumage. This is the second recorded instance of this 
rare Bunting in Ireland; the first was found dead at P'astnet Light- 
house i6th October, 1887, and is now in Mr. Barrington's collection; the 
present specimen has been secured for our National Museum. 
W. J. WlLI^IAMS. 
Dame Street, Dublin. 
A Corncrake in February. 
A Corncrake in fat condition was shot at Markethill, Co, Armagh, on 
the 2nd February. On carefully examining the specimen the wing was 
found to have been broken, but the bones had joined and all outward 
signs of wound had disappeared. This no doubt accounted for the bird 
wintering in Ireland, although it was well able to fly. 
W. J. WlI<I,IAMS, 
Dame Street,^Dublin. 
