Partial Migration of SparrowsAuthor(s): Nevin H. FosterSource: The Irish Naturalist, Vol. 12, No. 7 (Jul., 1903), p. 197Published by: Irish Naturalists' Journal Ltd.Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/25522378 .

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I903. '97

NOTES. BOTANY.

County Down Plants.

Late in August last year, while rambling along the shore between Groonisport and the Orlock Coastguard Station, I came across several fine clumps of the Samphire. At the same time andt place I observed the Scottish Lovage. Both species were in bloom, and vigorous, Nearer

Groomsport the Field Gentian was in quantity, and looked lovely, surrounded by the scant and parched herbage of the rock) headland.

WILL_tAM PORtER, Belfast.

Ranunculus Auricomus. When driving, on April 25th, near Castle ]Blunden, two miles west of

Kilkenny, I was greatly -struck by a Ranunculus on the roadside. The

flowers were, so large and perfect I could scarcely believe it to be

Auricornus. There was some water by the edge of the fence, and as the car drove quickly by, Calha passed monmentarily through my mind. It was,

however, R. AuricomUs, with splendid flowers, some one and a-quarter inches across, on tall vigorous stalks. I never saw perfect blossoms in

Ireland in such quantity-if, indeed, I ever saw perfect ones at all

for some of the petals are usually abortive, and those that are not

abortive drop off on the slightest touch. Syme says, in English Botzay-" It}n 'Scotch specimens I have very seldom found the

flowers perfect-but in Kent and Surrey they are generally so." There was paenty of Auricomus with abortive petals within ioO yards of

the plants with perfect flowers. The latter were more shaded, and the

soil they grew on was wet and pasty. I send a-blossom.

RIcHARD M. BARRINGTON.

Fassaroe, Bray.

[Mr. Barrington's plant is very striking. I do not know if this is a described variety. The " tall vigorous stalks preclude its reference to var. grandiflorus, Lecoq et Laamotte. I have not seen the leaves.

R. LL. P1.

ZOOLOGY. Partial Migration of Sparrows.

During the mionth of March I observed nunbers of dark-coloured House-Sparrows (Passer domesticus) in this neighbourhood, quite different in appearance'from the lighter coloured and cleaner birds resident here throughout the winter. I believe this to be accounted for by these birds

migrating to the larger towns for the winter, where food would be more abundant, and getting begrimed in the sooty atmosphere; buit with the return of spring they return to their breeding haunts.

NEvIN H. FOSTER.

Hillsborough, Co. Down.

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