Early Arrival of Swifts in Co. MayoAuthor(s): Robert F. RuttledgeSource: The Irish Naturalists' Journal, Vol. 9, No. 10 (Apr., 1949), p. 274Published by: Irish Naturalists' Journal Ltd.Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/25533732 .

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274 The Irish Naturalists' Journal. [Vol. IX.

POLLELVA-POLLISMAURAHAUN.

We intend to call this section of the system Pollelva?Upper Cave, as Pollismaurahaun is only one of several swallets which

feed into this passage. The entrance to the upstream pass-age is in the north-west corner of the pot-hole, and is entered by climbing the wall and bearing S.E. through the undergrowth where there is a rock bridge spanning the waterfall pitch. A rope

belayed to the trees here is a help to get into the passage. This upstream passage from Pollelva was surveyed for a

distance of 3,396 feet. A very wet constricted cave, interesting to explore, but arduous to survey. The false chert floors are

most remarkable, and rather dangerous. There are several side

passages which have not yet been fully explored, which all appear to be old and deserted sections of the Upper Cave, the water

having found a lower level.

Conclusion.

The survey of Pollnagollum Cave now totals 19,345 feet, with more still to be done. With the addition of the Pollelva Upper Cave, and the short section which we have called Pollelva?Lower Cave, which now seems part and parcel of this Master Cave, the total now becomes 22,821 feet, or 4 miles 1,702 feet.

24 Iveleary Road, Whitehall, Dublin.

ZOOLOGICAL NOTES.

SWIFTS IN APRIL .

This morning two Swifts, Apus a. apus (L.), were circling over the

gardens behind my house at 7.30 a.m. (S.T.). In recent years a pair has successfully nested in the roof of a neighbour's house and stayed very late?usually until 24th-25th August?long after our main body of* Swifts had departed. The pair seen this morning was flying very low and just on the same beat that the nesting pair and their young often fly in before their departure.

[Not seen again until 9.30 a.m. on 23rd, when two were watched for some minutes in almost same place as on 20th, hut on different

beat.?A.W/S.] A. W. STELFOX.

14 Clareville Road, Rathmines, Dublin. 20th April, 1949.

EARLY ARRIVAL OF SWIFTS IN GO. MAYO.

On 20th April, near Gastlebar, I was surprised to hear the characteristic screaming of Swifts, Apus a. apus (L.), and looking up observed ten of these birds. The date forms my earliest record for the appearance of this species in Co. Mayo, having never previously noted it before 3rd May.

Cloonee, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo. ROBERT F. RUTTLEDGE.

RINGED SfNIFE RECOVERED IN CO. DOWN.

Lord Dunleath informs us of a Common Snipe, Capella g. gallinago (L.), having been shot at Quoile River, Downpatrick, Co. Down, on 13th November, 1948, which had been ringed when adult at Laugarholt, in Borgarfjord, W. Iceland, September 14th, 1948.?Ed,

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