Great Snipe (Gallinago major), and Sabine's Snipe (G. cœlestis, var. sabinii) in IrelandAuthor(s): E. WilliamsSource: The Irish Naturalist, Vol. 2, No. 11 (Nov., 1893), p. 302Published by: Irish Naturalists' Journal Ltd.Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/25520523 .

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302 The Irish Naturalist.

Hellx arbustorum, L. In Leltrlm.-Mr. William Kennedy, of Londonderry, having recently informed me that he had collected Helix arbusborum at Glencar Waterfall; in response to a request for further in formation in respect to this important find, Mr Kennedy forwards speci

mens, and detailed information of his discovery. The specimens are three in number, and Dr. Scharff considers them very fine examples of the typical form. As Antrim, Down, and North Donegal (a single dead

specimen) are the only authenticated stations in Ireland for this hand some snail, Mr. Kennedy's careful and accurate notes are of interest: "On referring to my memoranda in connection with this species, I find that I got altogether at the same place five specimens; the dates are: 4th June, I863, one immature specimen; igth August, i864, two living,

mature; 28th September, i865, one living, and one dead specimen. All were found in the long grass growing ainong the trees and shrubs at Glencar Waterfall, not more than three or four yards from the waterfall, and in the bottom at the glen. On the occasion of my first visit to the locality, 4th June, I863, the late Dr. Samuel Brown, Inspector of National

Schools, then much interested in land and fresh-water molluscs, was with me, and he got, I think, one or two specimens."-KR. LLOYD PRAEGER.

kelix fusca in Co. Dublin.-The only record we possess of this rare species for the county, is that in Turton's work who mentions merely " wood in Dublin." No one else seems to have found it since, and I am glad to be able to confirm the record, as my brother took it abundantly after the recent heavy showers in the Lucan demesue.-R. F. SCHARV-F,

Dublin. 0

A new Irish specles of Arlon.-In the Annals and ANag. of Nat Hzst. (6th s.) vol. xii. Oct. I893, Mr. W. E. Collinge, the editor of the Conchologist, describes a new species of Arion. It was discovered at Schull, Co. Cork, by Mr. Phillips, and is named Arion flagellus by the describer. Mr. Collinge very kindly allowed me to examine the type specimens. The external characters do not differ materially from the typical Irish Arion slbfuscus except that the colour is darker, but it has this in common with almost all the specimens found on the west coast.

The two principal anatoniical characters on which the species is based, are the constrictions of the oviduct and the presence of a flagellum.

With regard to the former, it is not different from the shape assumed by an oviduct during and after the passage of the ova. The flagellum is of

more importance, and would in itself be sufficient to specifically dis tinguish A. flagellus from allied species. As far as I could ascertain, however, without cutting sections of the flagelluim, it appears to be but a portion of the extractor muscle, which is attached at that point to the oviduct. I cannot therefore convince myself that the species referred to, is anything else than a variety of the variable A. szubfuscus.-R. F.

SCHARFF, Dublin.

BIRDS. Redbreasteci Snipe (Macrorhamphus griseus, Gmel.) In

Ireland, a new American Vlsitor.-On the 29th September I obtained a specimen of the American Redbreasted Snipe, which was forwarded from Maryborough, Queen's Co., along with a lot of Common Snipe. The bird is a female in the immature autumn plumage, and has not hitherto been recorded fronm Ireland.-E. WILLIAMS, Dublin.

Great Snipe (Galilnago major), and Sabine's Snipe (G. coelestls, var. sabin i) In Ireland.-I have received a fine Great Snipe, shot by Mr. T. L. Mason, at Ballycroy, Co. Mayo, on the I3th October. The bird weiglhed seven ounces, and looks fully half as large again as a Common Snipe. On the 28th September, Mr. R. W. Peebles shot a particularly dark example in Co. Tyrone, of the variety called Sabine's Snipe. The whole bird is dark smoky-black, legs greenish black, and wanting the longitudinal stripes on back.-E., WIIHLIAMS, Dublin,

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