THE LAND-llAIE. 
315 
has doubtless migrated southwards. In all probability, the old 
birds which without let or hindrance have reared their 
brood, leave the country with them so soon as they are strong 
enough for the journey, as in like manner a large portion of 
swallows depart with their first brood in the month of August, 
when favourable weather and wind prevail. Occasional birds 
only, which frequent stubble and potato fields, like partridge, are 
met with at that time. Through the month of October, few oc- 
cur, and afterwards their appearance is very rare.* The instances 
within ten miles of Belfast noted after that time, are as follow : — 
November 5, 1831, a small bird, probably belonging to a late 
brood, was shot — November 1, 1834, one, and on the 19th of 
that month, a brace, were obtained : the latter among rushes 
on Devis mountain — December 22, 1836, ^^a pensioner^^ as to 
flight, but in good condition, was caught on a rushy field by a 
friend^s setting-dog — December 16, 1840, a mild winter, one 
quite strong on the wing was shot, and proved to be in excellent 
condition — January 10, 1788, eight or ten brace were flushed 
among the rocks at the Knockagh, one of which was shot : it was 
rather lean.'’'’t — On January 29, 1849, and Bebruary 1, 1821, 
single individuals were killed. 
With respect to other parts of Ireland : — At Toomavara (Tip- 
perary) a young bird unable to fly was once caught so late as the 
18th of October. In the county of Wexford, land-rails are 
always met with by sportsmen in the month of October, but not 
in November. J On November 6th, 1848, one was shot in the 
CO. of Cork ; twice in January, birds have been killed in the co. 
of Dublin, II and in the first week of Bebruary 1849, one was 
obtained in the Moyntaghs, co. Armagh. 
The plumage of the land-rail occasionally appears very pale 
* A friend shooting at Aberarder, in the north of Inverness-shire, reported a brace 
as shot in the third week of September 1838 ; and when there myself in 1842, one 
was met with in a rushy field on the 25th of September : on the 3rd of October I saw 
one quite fresh in a poidterer’s shop in Edinburgh. 
t M'Skimniin’s ‘ History of Carrickfergus.’ 
+ Major T. Walker. 
II Mr. E. J. Montgomery. 
