Photographs of Seabird Colonies WantedAuthor(s): D. SaundersSource: The Irish Naturalists' Journal, Vol. 16, No. 10 (Apr., 1970), p. 318Published by: Irish Naturalists' Journal Ltd.Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/25537418 .

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318

Although the pine marten is supposedly Ireland's rarest mammal, I have recently had several reliable reports of sightings in Cos. Clare, Galway and Mayo and one from south

Sligo. In some localities in these counties the animal is well known as the "marten-cat".

J. S. FAIRLEY.

Department of Zoology, University College, Galway.

EGG LAYING AND CONSERVATION OF THE SILVER-WASHED FRITILLARY, ARGYNNIS PAPHIA LINN.

This butterfly has been reported to lay its eggs "in the chinks of the bark of tree

trunks, chiefly Pines and Oaks", (Frohawk) or "on the moss which coats the trunks of many trees" (S. and E. M., Beaufoy). Trees are chosen (it is stated) around which the larval food

plant (Viola sp.) grows in abundance. On 28th July, 1969, we saw a silver-washed fritillary laying eggs at the Glen of the Downs, Wicklow (0 270115). They were not laid on a tree at

all, but on a patch of moss on the rocky overhanging bank of a path cut into the south*

facing side of the glen. Six eggs were quickly deposited within 1-2 cm of each other. There were violets growing through the moss.

This observation further justifies the emphasis already laid by conservation experts on the correct maintenance of paths in woodland.

5 The Green, Dunmurry, Belfast.

H. G. HEAL.

J. C. G. HEAL.

PHOTOGRAPHS OF SEABIRD COLONIES WANTED

The Seabird Group are anxious to obtain copies of photographs of seabird breeding colonies to provide a permanent record of numbers present during the period of the "Seafarer" census in 1969, and to provide evidence of change. Besides this modern material old

photographs would also be most welcome even if the date is not exactly known. Those

which show a whole colony or an easily definable part of it are most valuable, especially if

full details of the year and locality were recorded, but unknown sites may be identifiable

if they show distinguishing features. If negatives, prints or transparencies are sent for

examination they will be copied where appropriate and returned to their owner as soon as

possible.

Items for examination should be sent to the "Seafarer" organiser?David Saunders,

*Tom the Keepers", Marloes, Harverfordwest, Pembrokeshire.

D. SAUNDERS.

BOTANICAL NOTES

SPARGANIUM ERECTUM SUBSP. OOCARPUM IN IRELAND

On the 28th August 1969, I collected specimens of Sparganium erectum subsp.

oocarpum (Celak) C. D. K. Cook from the canal south of the river Boyne at Slane, County Meath. This subspecies had not previously been recorded from Ireland.

As in the south of England plants the Slane specimens show poor fertility, with

only five to twenty fruits developed on each capitulum. The fruits are almost spherical, 5 mm long (excluding style) x 4 mm wide, and are without a distinct shoulder.

The four subspecies of Sparganium erectum known in Britain (Cook, Wutsonia, 5:

1-10, 1961) are now recorded from Ireland (see also Synnott, this Journal, 16: 175-6, 1969).

National Museum, Dublin, 2. D. M. SYNNOTT.

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