Irish Jay in Co. TyroneAuthor(s): J. A. Sidney StendallSource: The Irish Naturalists' Journal, Vol. 6, No. 5 (Sep., 1936), p. 126Published by: Irish Naturalists' Journal Ltd.Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/25532628 .

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126 The Irish Naturalists' Journal. [Vol. VI.

ZOOLOGICAL NOTES.

GADWALL, ANAS STltEPEUA L., NESTING IN ULSTER. Early in May, 1956, I was looking for ducks' nests along the shore

of one of the hundreds of reed-fringed lakes with which Ulster abounds.

Amongst the many nests seen was one containing eleven eggs of a remarkable

creamy-buff colour. These at once excited my curiosity, but without seeing the duck in a good light and at a favourable angle I was doubtful of its

identity. On subsequent examination of the egg and inest feathers,

however, I definitely came to the conclusion that the nest was that of a

Gadwall. My opinion was confirmed by several other ornithologists, who

agreed with me without hesitation. Gadwalls' eggs are a distinctive

buff colour, but they might be confused with Wigeon. However, even

after judgment had been passed on the nest feathers?which are darker

than those of the Wigeon?I "

made assurance doubly sure "

by making the journey (some distance, by the way) several times to get a good view

of the duck as she was flushed from the eggs. On each of these occasions I got a splendid view of the Gadwall?

for this she undoubtedly was. The white speculum was the most con

spicuous feature, and this together with the mottled breast and general brown colouring rendered identification certain.

The nest was well concealed in a thick bed of reeds about 20-30 yards from the water's edge, and when flushed the duck rose up fairly steeply for some distance, then made off for the water where .she behaved as

many other dudks do?scattered over the surface anxiously, playing the "

broken-wing trick." I do not claim that this is the first record for Ireland, but, in any case,

the Gadwall is a very rare breeder. Let us hope that she will find this

country as suitable as have the Tufted Duck and Pintail, which have both extended their range so successfully recent!v.

Friends' School, Lisburn. * "

J. A. BENINGTON.

IRISH JAY IN CO. TYRONE. An Irish Jay, Garrulus glandarim hibernicus With, and Hart., was

shot on 18th June, 1936, by Colonel J. Martin, in his garden at Derrygally House, Moy, Co. Tyrone, and kindly forwarded to me, in the flesh, by Mr. Robert W. Bingham, M.A., Dnngannon. It was a bird of the year with

" sprouting

" primary feathers and certainly had been able to fly

but a short time. Jays were seen in the area during April and it appears almost certain that nesting took place there. Derrygally House is on the Co. Tyrone side of the Tyrone Armagh border, sloping down to the River

Blackwater, three miles from Mov and five from Dungannon. Belfast.

" J. A. SIDNEY STENDALL.

FULMAR PETREL BREEDING ON LAMBAY ISLAND. When visiting Lambay with the Dublin Naturalists' Field Club on

27th June, 1936, I saw three Fulmar Petrel, Fuhnartts g. glacialis (L.), on the cliffs of the north-east end of the island (Saltpan Bay); apparently

non-breeding birds. As it was getting late, I had no time to make a further exmaination. However, before leaving I met Mr. Seton Gordon, who was

staying on the island as the guest of Lord Revel stoke, who informed me that there were nine pairs of Fulmars on the cliffs at Saltpan Bay and that three pairs were breeding. It appears they were seen on the island for the first time in the summer of 1935, but did not breed that year.

From the position the birds occupy on the cliffs it may be surmised that this extension of their range comes from a north of Ireland station.

Dublin. P. E. DUNN.

STRATIOMYS FURCATA FAB. IN NORTH CO. DUBLIN. Sometime about 1924, while collecting water beetles at the Pits,

Kilbarrack, Co. Dublin, I took the larva of this fly, and though I was always on the look out for the perfect insect it was not until 23rd June this year that I succeeded in taking it. On this date I found a

single example on a Typha leaf. The species is evidently rare or I would have surely found it ibefore, as I have done a considerable amount of work in this excellent collecting ground.

National Museum, Dublin. EUGENE O'MAHONY.

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