1906. Notes. 193 
Pomatorhine Skua from Loop Head. 
I have just received a splendid specimen of Steycorarius poiuatorhinus, 
the Pomatorhine Skua, from Loop Head, Co. Clare, shot on June 6th, 
while chasing some small birds 100 yards inland from the sea. According 
to Ussher, this is its first occurrence in Clare, and only one other June 
record exists for Ireland, 
This species breeds in the north circumpolar area, and is a great oceanic 
wanderer. It can hardly be confounded with any other European Skua, 
the vertical twisting of the two central tail feathers being a remarkable 
feature, apart from other differences. The specific name was originally 
written pomariims, but amended in 1S62 by Sclater to pomatorhinus. from 
TTtv/ia, a lid or cover, and piv, the nostril, from the nasal operculum. 
Richard M. Barrington. 
Fassaroe, Bray. 
Buffon's Skua on Clare Island. 
A beautiful adult specimen of Bufifon's Skua (Stenorarius parasiliciis) 
was caught on Clare Island, Co. Mayo, on June 14th and sent to me by 
Mr. Henry Hammond, Light-keeper. This swift and gracefvil Skua has 
the two central tail feathers projecting 7 or 8 inches beyond the rest. 
The shafts of the two outer primaries ONI.V are white in Buffon's vSkua — 
whereas in the Arctic Skua (.9. crefidatus) the shafts of ali. the primaries 
are white according to Saunders' Manual. 
Richard M. Barrington. 
Fassaroe, Bray. 
Birds in the South east. 
At Glendalougli on June 7, the Cuckoo sang till 9.30, when it was quite 
dark. It maybe true that Skylarks "never warble o'er" the lake there 
(I am not aware that they are addicted to warbling over any lakes), but 
the " gloomy shore has no terrors for the Woodcocks, which were 
observed taking their evening flight with its weird vocal accompaniment 
backwards and forwards across the lake. A pair of Ravens was seen on 
Mullacor, close by. At Bagenalstown station, a goods train drawing up, 
Rooks and Jackdaws at once descended and vigorousl}- devoured the 
grease from the axle-boxes. Rev. W. vS. Green tells me he has observed 
the same habit. We were much struck by the number of Goldfinches 
seen in this part of Ireland. 
R. Li*. Praeger. 
Dublin. 
