The Death's-Head Moth in UlsterAuthor(s): W. E. HartSource: The Irish Naturalist, Vol. 23, No. 12 (Dec., 1914), p. 248Published by: Irish Naturalists' Journal Ltd.Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/25524313 .

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24& The Irish Naturalist. December,

NOTES, ZOOLOGY.

Trichoniscus vividus in Co. Kerry. Mr. A. W. Stelfox sent me several specimens of the Woodlouse, Tri

choniscus vividus (Koch), taken by him in Kerry, S. Mr. Stelfox says :? "

The first specimens were taken under a very rotten log near the bank

of a small stream in the plantations of Burnham, Lord Ventry's demesne, on Dingle Harbour. Many other examples were seen here, but all under

very rotten wood. These plantations are mainly artificial, but in some

parts there is, I fancy, a foundation of native scrub. In them are many exotic shrubs, and no doubt some species of animals have been imported

with these. In one area the presence of the snail Hygromia rufescens,

gives proof of this." If T. vividus be native here?and there appears to

be no reason why it should not be so?it is an interesting extension of its

range. In the Britannic area it had previously only been known from

south-east Ireland, having been recorded from the counties of Waterford,

Kilkenny, Wexford, Carlow, and Queen's Co.

Nevin H. Foster.

Hillsborough, Co. Down.

The Death's-head Moth in Ulster.

Although not common, the Death's-head Moth is well known in northern

Ireland, and is regarded by the country folk with superstitious horror. I

have not had the good fortune to have taken it myself, but more than one

living specimen has been, brought to me in former years.

W. E. Hart.

Kilderry, Co. Donegal.

The Short-eared Owl. On September 17th I saw perched on a stack of oats in a field beside

the road at JCilranelagh, Co. Wicklow, an owl, which from what I saw of

it whilst driving past I believe to have been a Short-eared Owl. The

general appearance of the bird was dark buff above, with heavy dark brown streaks and blotches ; the under parts were dull buff or

yellowish, also streaked with dark brown, as was the facial disk and wings. The tufts on the head were quite short. I could not see the legs plainly, as, though the trap I was in was only going at a walk, I was not close

enough to see them distinctly. Perhaps the above may be of sufficient

interest to publish, as the Short-eared Owl is only a winter-visitor to

Ireland, and I have never seen a specimen so early as the date on which

I saw the bird mentioned.

Helen M. Metcalfe.

Enfield, Co. Kildare.

Doubtless the bird seen by our correspondent was a Short-eared Owl.

This species, however, may be observed in some seasons as early as August.

The Editors.,

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