House Martin in WinterAuthor(s): DunleathSource: The Irish Naturalists' Journal, Vol. 8, No. 9 (Jan., 1946), p. 333Published by: Irish Naturalists' Journal Ltd.Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/25533404 .

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January, 1946.j The Irish Naturalists' Journal. H3:>

those of his father, James Sheals, over a period of 60 years. This list is here given so as to be put on permanent record.?J. A. S. Stendall.

Markethill, Co. Armagh, about 1860. Shane's Castle, Co. Antrim, about I860. Glenarm Park, Co. Antrim, about 1866. Castleward, near Downpatrick, Co. Down, about 1870. Donegal, 15-9-1883. Narrow Water, Warrenpoint, Co. Down, male, 3-2-1886. The finest

specimen I ever received ; it was more like a Russian Marten. Sligo, 10-5-1887. Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, 24-6-1887. Sligo, 1-8-1887.

Bray, Co. Wicklow, November, 1888. Finnehrogue, Downpatrick, Co. Down, male, 6-4-1891. Bryansford, Co. Down, male, 14-10-1891. Portglenone, Co. Antrim, male, 1-4-1893. Templepatrick, Co. Antrim, male, 9-5-1893. Bryansford, Co. Down, female, 15-2-1899. Castle Dobbs, Carriekfergus, Co. Antrim, male, 8-7-1899. A fine specimen

weighing 4 lbs. Donegal, February, 1912. Donegal (2), male and female, 17-11-1913. Foulkesmills, Co. Wexford, male, 3142-1920. Weight 3$ lbs., total

length 31$ ins., bone of tail 9 ins., length of tail to end of fur 13$ ins.

ROOKS FAINTING.

I was very interested in C. B. Moffat's and Miss Longfteld's notes on above. I wonder are Rooks, Corvus f. frugilcgus L., more subject to fits and faints than other birds? My nephew, Captain A. C.

Workman, only this summer was watching a flock of Rooks flying oveir his house at Cultra, Co. Down, when quite suddenly one of the birds seemed to take a fainting fit, dropping vertically down heiad over heels quite outt of control. He thought it was going to crash, hut just before touching th? -ground it seemed to come ou.t of the fit,

gathered itself "together and flew up to join the flock. He told me the Rook looked exactly like a bird that had been shot dead.

Lismore, Windsor, Belfast. 15-10-45. W. H. WORKMAN.

HOUSE MARTIN IN WINTER.

A House Martin, Delichon u. urbica (L.), was seen by me flying at Ballywalter, Go. Doiwn, on 21&t December, 1945, and again the following day, flying over a farm a.hont 400 yards from where first seen.

Ballywalter Park, Go. Down. DUNL-EATH.

WHITE SWALLOW.

I saw a pure white Swallow in this district in August, 1945. The first time I saw it was flying witJi other Swallows awl perchiu.u on

telegraph wires at Garrowanagh, near Ballysodaro. I saw it in sam? district .some days later and was itold by Mr. Williams of Garru-waimyii ithat i/t had been there for some weeks and lie thought it might

have been hatched out in his barn. The bird left with the others of its kind in September. This is the first white Swallow I have seen and wonder if it is usual.

Camphill House, Gollooney, Co. Sligo. ANNA NESHAM.

[White Swallows are not common, but several records exist.?Ed.]

FREQUENCY OF RUFFS AND REEVES.

On (the 25th September, 1945, I saw one Ruff and two Reeves on iho sewiage farm at the Curragh Camp. On 26th September two

Reeves were prosea: and on 3rd October two Ruffs and three Reeves

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