Early Arrival of Migrants in Co. CorkAuthor(s): Wm. B. BarringtonSource: The Irish Naturalist, Vol. 2, No. 6 (Jun., 1893), p. 177Published by: Irish Naturalists' Journal Ltd.Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/25520409 .

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No0e.. 177

by gradually depriving it of the water in which it lived. Theoretically these instances are of great value as illustrating experimentally the origin of species.-R. F. SCHARFF, Dublin.

Frog Remains from Ballynamintra Cave.-In his paper on the "Frog in Ireland," in your April number, Mr. Kane refers to the bon-es of a Frog foulnd by Prof. A. Leithl Adams and myself, in the deposits of this cave as a convincing proof of their antiquity "if the stratum in which they were found was extremely ancient." It was not so, being the surface deposit, termed in the Report "No. I." At page 207 of the Y r-ansactions oftIieRoyal tDib/in Society for April, i88i, which contains the report on Ballvnaiiiintra cave, we read," In No. I the pellets (?) of rapacious birds, possibly of owls, contained fragnients of bones of frogs."

Whether these masses of frog-bonles were accumulated by owls or field voice, there was certainly inothing either in their position or condition to deniote their great antiquity.-R. J. USSHER, Cappagli, Co. XWaterforl.

BIRDS.

Spring Migrants at Armagh.-The Chiffchaff arrived on Marclh 22nd. Sand Martins were seen on the Callan on March 29th, and the first Swallow appeared on April 3rd; the main body of Swallows, however, did not arrive till May. I heard the sweet song of the Willow \Vren for the first time on April 6th, and the harsh note of the Cornerake saluted mne as I strolled into Mullinure on April 20th. The Cuckoo arrived oni April 23rd, but I did not see either House Martins or Swifts till May S. Why the House Martin should have been so long after the Swallow in its arrival I do not understand, and should be glad to know if the same difference of time of arrival was observed elsewhere.-W. F. JoHNSON, Armagh.

Early arrival of Migrants In Co. Cork.-Chiffchaff, 26tl Mlarch; Sand Martin, Ist April; Swallow, gth April; Willow-warbler, gth April; Cuckoo, 24th April; Swift, 2nd May; Landrail, 7th May; Sedge-warbler, 7th May; Whitethroat, 7th May; Sandpiper, gth May. These dates are not extraordinary, but when compared with those of last year tend to show that the general wave of migration has been decidedly earlier this year here. Had I greater opportunities of being in the country and of visiting likely haunts, I anm sure I should have been able to give a miiuch earlier record, as on miost of the dates which I give, I either saw or heard the birds plentifully, and they appeared to have arrived somwe time.-WM. B. BARRINGTON, Cork.

Hoopoe (Upupa epops) In Co. Wexforcl.-Mr. Wheelocke, the birdstuffer, Wexford, has a Hoopoe in his shop, which, I am informed, was shot at Drinagh, two miles south-east of Wexford, on Good Friday. G. E. H. BARRETT-HAMILTON, Cambridge.

Black Redstart (Ruticilla titys) In Co. Wexford.-A female specimen of the Black Redstart was shot at Ballygeary, near Wexford, on Feb. 22nd, and is now in my collection.-G. E. H. BARRiTTr-HAMII,TON, (aiiibridge.

Occurrence of the King Duck (Somaterla spectabills) In Achill Island.-On December 12th, 1892, I fell in with a male speci men of this fine duck, and as it is of such rare occurrence in Ireland, I

thought an account of its capture in the west of Ireland might be of in terest. I find Thompson only mentions four specimens having been taken in Ireland. One shot at Kingstown, October, 1837. One shot at

Dornane, Co. Kerry, I843. One shot in Tralee bay, Kerry, 1845-46. One ill Belfast in 185Q. And according to Mr. A. G. More, our great authority, there is no record of any being taken in Ireland for the last forty-three years. The bird was not in full plumage, but judging from the round white patch on the sides behind the legs, and the mottled

white on breast, and the black scapularies and flanks, the bird must

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