Snowy Owl, Strix nyctea.—A rare winter visitor, or perhaps should rather be classed as a straggler, having occurred ouly twice in this district. The first that appeared was shot by the late Mr. T. Palmer, in his demesne, Summer Hill, near Killala, on the 26th January, 1856; and the second was seen in November, 1860, by Mr. Palmer's son, at the same place, but he was unable to secure it. The specimen obtained by Mr. Palmer is now in the possession of Colonel E. Knox, of Castlerea, near Killala.
Order Insessores.
Spotted Flycatcher, Muscicapa grisola.—A regular summer visitant to this district, but late in making its appearance. Two pairs build in the garden and trees near the house here every season. In 1872 it was first seen on the 31st May, and observed building on the 11th June. In 1873, first seen on the 15th May, and hatching on the 1st June. In 1875, first seen 17th May. In 1876, 14th May.
Pied Flycatcher, Muscicapa atricapilla.—The first recorded visit of this bird to Ireland was noticed by me in 'The Zoologist' for June, 1875 (p. 4498). It was an adult female bird and appeared here on the 18th April of that year. My attention was attracted by seeing it catching insects, and it appeared to me so strange that a Flycatcher should be seen so early in the season that I watched it attentively for some time. Observing that it had a smaller head and closer-looking plumage than the Spotted Flycatcher, as well as a faint appearance of white on the wing, I began to doubt its being of that species; so the following day, to make certain, I shot it, and then found it to be a female Pied Flycatcher. It is preserved in the Museum of the Royal Dublin Society, Kildare Street, Dublin.
Dipper, Cinclus aquaticus.—Resident wherever there are suitable rocky streams.
Missel Thrush, Turdus viscivorus.—Resident and common, and has become more numerous here of late years. When seen in parks in September these birds are often mistaken for Fieldfares.
Fieldfare, Turdus pilaris.—A regular winter visitant.
Song Thrush, Turdus musicus.—Common, but not so numerous as in the County Cork, nor do I see much addition to their numbers at the time of the autumnal migration, probably because the line of migration is more to the eastward.
