PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 
23 
INSESSORES. 
Muscicapa grisola. Not uncommon ; breeds in Donnybrook. I have met it at 
Clondalkin and Roebuck. 
Cinclus aquaticus. In our mountain glens common. I can, from personal obser¬ 
vation, testify to this bird’s powers of walking under the water, as I have seen it 
several times; the bird possesses the power not merely of walking but also of 
remaining stationary under the water; and, during the period of its submergence, 
it appears like a ball of quicksilver, arising, as I take it, from the oiliness and 
texture of its feathers. The study of its habits will well repay any observer. I 
have seen the bird as low down the Dodder as Milltown. 
Turdus viscivorus. Scarce about Donnybrook, but breeds with us. In the mountain 
glens it is more frequent. Dr. Drummond, in his translation of the 
u Chase of Glenismole,” has fallen into an error in giving this bird, with 
its harsh, inharmonious song, credit for being the species from whence the 
thrush valley got its name. All the species of Turdus are found here, 
this being the rarest. I have seen this bird, and the two next following, 
on several occasions, in the College Park, in this city. 
„ pilaris. A winter visitant; remains sometimes through the summer. 
Some years ago, when crossing the south side of Howth, I found several 
dozens of these birds lying dead in the furze, with the upper part of 
their skulls stove in, and the brain gone—the rest of the bird perfect, 
even to the eyes. It is the felt, or field-fare of the country folk. 
,, iliacus. A winter visitant; sometimes breeds here. I had a young bird 
which I believe to be this species, I think, in 1850; it was brought to me 
as a young thrush ; its underwing coverts, red; over the eye, a broad white 
stripe ; the remainder of its plumage resembling that of the missel-thrush; 
the bird pined away and died. 
,, musicus. Common. This bird paired here in June, with the next. The 
nest was robbed. The thrush was the hen, the cock the blackbird. 
„ merula. Common. 
„ torquatus. Local. The Three-rock Mountain and Kilmathogue Hills are 
tenanted by a few pair. I once, many years ago, saw a specimen of 
this bird killed, in December, at Roebuck. 
Accentor modularis. Common. 
Erythaca rubecula. In 1849, a pair of these birds built their nest, hatched, and 
reared their young, in a small watering pot, which was lying in the centre of a 
grass plot, beside a frequented walk, at Moorefield, Roebuck. I saw the nest my¬ 
self when it had three eggs in it, one having been broken by the pot having been 
shifted. The nest and pot were presented to the Trinity College, Dublin, Museum 
by my friend, Dr. Wm. Haughton. 
Saxicola rubicola. Common. 
,, oenanthe. Common in the mountain glens. 
„ rubetra. Scarce. I have shot this bird several times in the winter—on 
the 12th December, 1847, and, again, on the 25th of January, 1850, 
at Salthill. 
Salicaria phragmitis. Donnybrook; general. 
Curruca hortensis. This bird I introduce in doubt; but, I think, it has occurred 
once, at least, at Donnybrook. 
,, cinerea. Common ; breeds. 
Sylvia rufa. Common. The earliest date I have seen this bird was March 10, 
1849; the latest, September 26, in the present year. 
,, trochilus. Common. 
Regulus cristatus. Common ; but rather local. I have found this bird’s nest in 
the bank of a ditch, concealed under the leaves of the yarrow (Achillea mille¬ 
folium).* 
Parus major. Common ; breeds. 
* I believe I have met with the fire-crest (R. ignicapillus), as, in December, 1849, I shot, at 
Ranelagh, a bird answering to its description, especially in the markings on the cheeks. 
