T905. 



Noics. 



95 



James Haiinaii of Antrim, says the wounds on the sides of Pollan are 

 caused by " ramper eels." He has caught the "rampers" many times 

 sucking the Pollan so that holes have been noticed in tlieir sides. Has 

 seen Trout jump high out of the water when the " ramper '' was sticking 

 to them. He has lifted a "ramper"' by the tail when sticking to a 

 Pollan, and the " ramper " has still held on, the Pollan being lifted with 

 it. The tearings and cuts in Pollan are caused by Cormorants. These are 

 wily birds. Oa seeing a buoy attached to a net, they will dive down and 

 attack the Pollan that are caught in the meshes, and tear or cut them 

 in their endeavour to get them out of the net. The dark spots on Pollan 

 and holes were at one time thought to arise from disease, but no one 

 believes that now, as they have been found to be caused by " rampers.'" 



William Hannan of Antrim (brother of James Haunan) having heard 

 what was said by his brother, agreed entirely with his statement, only 

 adding that some Pollan when attacked rush in a distracted manner just 

 below^ the surface of the water in their efforts to rid themselves of their 

 foes. 



Robert Heaney of Antrim, having heard the evidence of Henry 

 Mulholland read over, said he concurred entirely with it and that the 

 Cormorant would dive seven fathoms to get to a net with Pollan in it. 



W. S. Smith. 



The Manse, Antrim. 



The Scaup-duck on inland waters. 



I^The only notice of the Scaup {Ficlignla marila) on fresh water in the 

 North of Ireland, given by Thompson, is that of a flock on Ballydrain 

 Lake, 2nd April, 1848. Ussher Birds of Ireland, ') mentions that the 

 Scaup is a regular frequenter of Lough Neagh in winter, but its occur- 

 rence on inland waters is exceptional, and when the bird is so found it 

 is generally only as a straggler ; he also gives a few instances of its 

 capture inland, mainly in the South and West. 



In December, 1903, the remains of a bird of this species shot on a 

 small lake in this locality were submitted to me. On 24tli January, 1905, 

 I heard that a large flock of duck, said to include Mallard {Anas boscas), 

 Wigeon {Alareca penelope)^ and Golden-eye [Clangula glaiicioii)^ had been 

 observed on another lake of about twelve acres extent in this neighbour- 

 hood, but on going out next morning only one duck was to be seen, 

 which proved to be a Scaup, though I afterwards saw two Wigeon shot 

 here the day previous. In both instances these Scaups were females, 

 the broad white band round the base of the mandible being clearly dis- 

 tinguished. 



Ilillsborough, Co. Down. 



Ne:vin H. Foste;!^. 



