Whiskered Bat in Co. CarlowAuthor(s): Denis R. Pack-BeresfordSource: The Irish Naturalist, Vol. 15, No. 1 (Jan., 1906), p. 16Published by: Irish Naturalists' Journal Ltd.Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/25522839 .

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i6 The Irish Naturalist. January,

part of the bird. In ainswer to these suggestions I would point out that

although there was a thjreateniing movement miiade by the comrade gulls

when the whelk was first captured, there was no actual attack then; and

in the second and third upward fligh ts no interference whatever took place. And if the bird were frightened by human intruders why, it may be asked, did it not fly off horizontally with its prey, as it ultimately did.

to the rocks of Shennick's Island. As for the second theory, that the action of the bird was, roughly speaking, instinctive, that I must leave to the consideration of those who are well versed in a delightful lore of

which I am lamentably ignorant, the nianners and custokms of sea-birds.

Our ornithologist can tell us whether this method of smashing shells is

as much part of the traditional wisdom of the Herring Gull as is the

smashing of snail shells on a stone with the Thrush.

If neither the first nior the second theory fit the facts then we are

apparently forced to the conclusion that the Skerries gull by a course of

philosophical experiment attained to a very fair practical knowledge of'

the laws of gravity.

N COI,GAN. Sandycove.

Quail in Co. Louth.

I notice in tlte Deceiimber number of the Irisls Naturaist nmention of

Quail in Co. Waterford and Co. Londonderry. It may interest some readers to know that when shooting with Mr. Lionel Hartop, of Bel robin, near Dundalk, about the 20th October, we killed two Quail, a

ma-le andl female. These were the first living Qutail I had ever seen in

Ireland, though I have once or twice heard them. I hear of two other

Quail being shot here this season, and last year Mr. Maxwell Boyle, of

Blackrock, Dundalk, killed several. I have no doubt that the two birds we shot in October were bred here during the very favourable present season, but I am surprised that they remained so long with us.

AirIAN P. SWAN

Dundalk.

Whiskered Bat in Co. Carlow.

On November 7th last a bat flew into the house here1 which, on

exanmination, I identified as Vespertilio mliystacinuas (kindly confirmed for nme by Dr. Scharff). This bat has not, I believe, been recorded before

from this county, though it has been taken ill the neighbouring county of Wexford.

DENTS R. PACK-BERESFORD.

Fenagh House, Bagnalstown.

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