PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 
97 
Anser ferus, Gessner (Gi ey-legged Goose), is of occasional, but rare occur¬ 
rence in Ireland. This bird, though said in former times to have been abundant 
in this country, must now be reckoned among the rarer of our Anatidae. During 
the severe weather which prevailed towards the latter end of December, 1853, 
and the beginning of January, 1854, several of these birds were brought to Dublin, 
by the wild-fowl shooters. A very fine specimen was obtained for the Museum of 
the Royal Dublin Society, shot in Westmeath. The bean goose was also very abun- 
dent, but the specific difference appeared to be well known, as well as the diffe¬ 
rence in their value. 
Anser Canadensis (Canadian Goose). This bird, according to Thompson, has, 
in a very few instances, been shot on parts of our coast. In a letter which I re¬ 
ceived from Mr. Davis, he mentions that a fine, and evidently a “ pure wild speci¬ 
men,” was obtained by Dr. Harvey, of Cork, in the month of January last, shot on 
a river in the vicinity of that town. 
Harelda glacialis, Linn (Long-tailed Duck). Robt. Warren, jun., Esq., kindly com¬ 
municated to me the occurrence of this beautiful duck, in limited numbers, in 
Killala Bay, county Sligo. It is a regular winter visitant to that locality. They 
sometimes remain far into April, before taking their departure for the season. 
Sula bassana, Briss (Solan Goose or Gannet). On the 26th of October, 1853,1 re¬ 
ceived the following communication, in a letter from Mr. R. Davis, Clonmel:— 
“About two months since, I had a fine specimen of the gannet sent me, shot in 
Tramore Bay, August, 1853, which differed in plumage from any specimen I 
have yet seen or met with; in appearance it much resembled a great black-backed 
gull; it is now in the collection of Dr. Harvey, Cork. The following is a descrip¬ 
tion of the bird:—Forehead, yellow white, which tinge shows in upper part of 
neck; crown and sides of head, brownish black, irregularly mixed with white; a 
narrow line of same colour down nape; sides of neck and breast, white, with some 
brown spots intermixed ; flanks, mixed black and white, in equal proportions; all 
the upper parts—viz., back, wing, coverts, primary, and tail, &c., brown black, 
with very faint and slight remains of triangular white spots (hardly perceptible, ex¬ 
cept on close observation) ; remaining under parts, white ; bill and legs, as in adult, 
but rather dull. I suppose this to be no uncommon variety, but merely the mid¬ 
way stage between youth and full age; but I have not noticed any description 
resembling it.” Dr. Ball has, I believe, observed the same state of plumage in the 
gannets kept in confinement in the Zoological Gardens, Phoenix Park. 
Sterna cantiaca, Gmel (Sandwich tern), is of occasional occurrence on the coast in 
summer and autumn.—Thompson. Mr. R. Warren informs me, that these interesting 
birds were rather late in making their appearance in Killala Bay, last spring, on 
account, perhaps, of the severe weather. They did not arrive until the 7th April. 
Although last year (1852) they were observed as early as the 23rd of March, he 
had not, as yet, ascertained their breeding haunts, although he thinks it cannot be 
far distant, as they fish throughout the summer in the bay. 
Lestris Richardsonii (Richardson Skua), is occasionally procured on the coast. 
—Thompson. The following communication, in reference to this bird, for which I 
am indebted to Mr. R. Warren, would seem to cast a doubt on the statement of Mr. 
Watters, in his History of Irish Birds, that the L. Richardsonii was the rarest of 
Lestridaa. A brother of Mr. Warren’s, residing at Bartra, in Killala bay, about 
a mile from Enniscrone, says, that some time in November, he witnessed the mi¬ 
gration of some hundreds of species of Lestris; they appeared to come from the 
north-east, and went right across the country towards the south-west; they were, 
probably,L. Richardsonii, for on October 17th, 1851, I witnessed alike migration at 
the same time, and one, which 1 then shot, proved to be of that species. As well as I 
could judge of them on the wing, they appeared to be of all ages. The one I shot 
was immature. I was not before aware of the appearance of the Skua in such 
abundance on our coast. 
ThalassidromaLeachii, Temm (Fork-tailed Petrel). A specimen of this petrel was 
obtained by Dr. Ball, for the University Museum, and exhibited at a former meet¬ 
ing of this Association. It was shot near the North-wall, during stormy weather, 
in the month of October, 1853. 
In concluding these few notes, which are only a tithe of the rare birds which have 
