Page:The Zoologist, 3rd series, vol 1 (1877).djvu/316

290 of killing Woodcocks, that they used to secure several couples in a day.

Snipe, Scolopax gallinago.—Common, and breeds throughout the district. Sometimes during sharp frosts they suffer severely and die off in great numbers. During the severe winter of 1854–55 they were nearly all exterminated in this way, and it took a couple of years to recruit even a moiety of their usual number. Again in 1867 a great number were destroyed by the cold and want of food.

Jack Snipe, Scolopax gallinula.—Common in winter. During snow it occasionally collects in numbers at some favourite spring or sheltered stream.

Land Rail, Crex pratensis.—A common summer visitant.

Water Rail, Rallus aquaticus.—Resident, though seldom seen, unless driven by frost from its concealment in the caves along the banks of the streams it frequents.

Waterhen, Gallinula chloropus.—Very common.

Coot, Fulica atra.—Common and resident.

 

—I am indebted to a friend for a copy of 'The Zoologist' for May, in which I see that some of your correspondents are much exercised in spirit over a paper of mine. It could only be a short abstract of my paper you printed, for the whole communication would altogether occupy about a dozen pages of your monthly issue. Not being able at the time to refer to authorities on British Mammals, I gave the local names for the animals. I saw the Squirrel, Sciurus vulgaris, twice in Drumonaghan Wood in 1875. Whether it was introduced into this county, as in the case of County Longford, I do not know, but if I can find out anything to that effect I will communicate it to you. We have the Stoat, Mustela erminea, but we have also a smaller member of the same genus, lighter in colour, and with no black tuft at the end of the tail. I expect to be able to send you a specimen of the latter very soon, that you may determine the species. Our "ferret" is the Pine Marten, Martes abietum. This animal has been seen and followed up with dogs at the Rouken and the Cairn, near to this village, but taking refuge in trees was not captured. Mr. Stewart says they take possession of the old nests of Magpies. He informs me that he saw a pair of Badgers in the Gap of