Light Form of Swallow in Co. DownAuthor(s): Thomas FowlerSource: The Irish Naturalists' Journal, Vol. 8, No. 7 (Mar., 1945), p. 263Published by: Irish Naturalists' Journal Ltd.Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/25533319 .

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March, 1945.] The Irish Naturalists' Journal. 263

Eighteen Choughs were seen in a flock on or about 1st July, 1944, on Portrush golf links by His Honour Judge Regley, K.C., and six

weeks ago I myself saw 15, while shortly afterwards Lord Justice Anthony Rabbington noted 12. Although I scanned the links this after noon I could only find a pair, but I probably missed the main body.

Captain C. D. Chase tells me he saw 4 Choughs on the Portstewart links in August. (1944) and more important still a nest was reported

near Dunluce in 1943 by a boy of Campbell College. Portrush Golf Club. 12-11-44. GEORGE NASH.

CARRION CROW IN CO. DOWN. A pair of Carrion Crows, Corvus corone corone L., appeared in

Grey abbey demense in spring, 1944. Mr. Wars-ley saw them feeding on the shore of Strangford Lough not far from his house, and had no doubt as to their identity, having been familiar with the species in England. The birds were observed by Mr. Worsley up to J4th

September, 1944. No young were seen. Another pair of crows were seen in Bally waiter Park during the

spring, which, though I could not positively identify as Carriont, i feed pretty certain were. These birds were mot iseen after early summer.

Ballvwalter Park, Co. Down. DUNLEATH.

ICELAND GULL IiN DUBLIN. On 9th January, 1945, I saw an immature Iceland Gull, Larus

glaucoides Meyer, at the Canal Basin near Ringsend, Duhlin. It was resting on a mud-bank a short distance away from some Black^headed and Herring Gulls. Unlike the Iceland Gull we had in Stephen's Green last year, it was creamy white with 'light brown markings and the

wings at rest crossed over the tail. While I was watching it flew a few yards down to the water and began to feed. Presently a mature

Herring Gull descended and drove it away. It returned to the bank giving a good view of its back, extended wings and tail. Unfortunately on the following day the water was frozen and there were no gulls on the bank.

Dublin. P. G. KENNEDY, S.J.

GLOSSY IBIS LN CO. DOWN IN JUNE. *

Mr. H. G. M*Williams, Ballyknockan, Co. Down, observed a Glossy Ibis, Plegadis f. falcinellus (L.) among vegetation at the shallow end of Monlough Lake on 5th June, 1944, when the wind was cold and blowing strong from the N.W. The bird remained over the following day, for the most part wading about, but occasionally taking to wing, the flight being

" gliding

" and in circles. The call uttered on flight

was "

hoarse?rather Raven-like, with an uplift at the end." Mr. M* Williams informed me of the bird's presence on 7th June and that evening I went to Monlough, but notwithstanding an exhaustive search by Mr. M'Williams and myself there was no sign of the visitor.

Meanwhile the weather had become milder with wind from S.W.

Belfast. J. A. SIDNEY STENDALL.

LIGHT FORM OF SWALLOW IN CO. DOWN. On 17th August, 1944, I saw a very light-coloured Swallow, Hirundo

r. rustica L., at Downpatrick ; it did not seem to be pure white but rather a light cream colour. The bird was being mobbed by Swallows in normal plumage.

Ringreagh, Downpatrick. THOMAS FOWLER.

EARLY ARRIVAL OF WIGEON AND GREY LAG-GEESE IN CO. DOWN.

About 20 Wigeon, Anas penelope L., arrived ton Downipatrick Marshes on 22nd September, 1944, about a week earlier than usual. Also to Downpatrick and a week in advance of usual date came 5 Grey Lag-Geese, Anser a. anser (L.), on 4th October, 1944.

Ballvwalter Park, Co. Down, DUNLEATH,

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