exceptionally early nest may be discovered, about the middle of May is the time I have found the greatest number of nests with the females sitting.
Gadwall, Anas strepera.—This rare duck I have only seen here twice. In the first instance, in the winter of 1855, I observed five birds feeding on the sands at low-water on the Sligo side of the estuary near Scurmore; and again, on the 6th March, 1856, I shot an adult pair (male and female) out of a flock of seven as they were feeding on the Moyview shore in company with some Wigeon. The patch of black on the tail-coverts of the male, and the peculiar carriage of their heads and bills, induced me to aim at them rather than at the Wigeon, of which latter I killed a pair also at the same shot.
Pintail, Anas acuta.—Visits the estuary every winter in limited numbers, associating with the Wigeon. Sometimes ten or twelve birds may be seen together, but the general number is seven or eight, probably a little family party.
Teal, Querquedula crecca.—Seldom seen in any numbers on the waters of the estuary, unless driven by severe frost from their inland haunts. Flocks of from fifty to a hundred birds may then be seen on the tidal parts of the river, where they remain while the frost lasts; but shortly after the thaw sets in they all return to their favourite feeding grounds by lake and bog. I have seen Teal on Rarooyeen Lake in summer, where they probably have nests amongst the reeds on the margin of the lough.
Wigeon, Anas penelope.—Large numbers frequent the estuary and bay, sometimes arriving from their breeding haunts in September. On the 12th of that month, in 1868, I saw fifty near Roserk, and they sometimes delay their departure in spring until April 20th.
Sandwich Tern, Sterna cantiaca.—A regular summer visitant to the bay and estuary, generally making its appearance between the last week of March and the middle of April, though I have seen them arrive as early as the 20th March and as late as the 26th April. They breed on the little bog-lake of Rarooyeen. I need not repeat the particulars here, as I have already given a detailed account of their fresh-water breeding haunts in 'The Zoologist' for March of the present year (p. 101).
Common Tern, Sterna hirundo.—Common; visiting us regularly every summer, but I have never seen them here before May. They breed on some of the flat islands in Lough Conn.
