Green Sandpiper at MalahideAuthor(s): J. F. SimmsSource: The Irish Naturalists' Journal, Vol. 9, No. 3 (Jul., 1947), p. 75Published by: Irish Naturalists' Journal Ltd.Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/25533546 .

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July, 1947.] The Irish Naturalists'" Journal. 75

It may be of interest to .mention that we sent plants to interested (parties in Go. Glare about 1925 for startling plantations in the estuary of the river Fergus and I should be glad to hear ifrom

any of yon<r readers' of the success of the project. University College, Cork. HENRY GLAVIN, Head Gardener.

THE RARE MOSS? WEBEBA CALCABEA WARNST.

In December, 1923, I had the good fortune to find this moss in Colin Glen, Co. Antrim. Up to then Its presence was unknown in the British Isles.

Subsequently, Mr. W. E. Nicholson found the plant on the Downs near Lewes, Sussex ; but for more than twenty years the known distribution remained as above. Now Mr. F. Ribstone writes me that Mr. Harris sent it to him last year from Co. Galway and Mr. R..D. Meikle has added a welcome station?" Banks of Gaher River, Glen

Caber, nr. Blackhead, Co. Clare, June, 1946." There is no description of W. calcarea in our British textbooks,

.but in the Journal of Botany, 1925, the distinctive points of this rare moss are given. I will be pleased to send a copy of this extract to

anyone interested in the hope that the plant may be found in other

parts of our country. Newtownbreda Manse, Belfast. W. R. MEGA.W.

ZOOLOGICAL NOTES.

GULLS EATING MOLLUSKS {SOLEN).

For days past, during heavy frost, thousands of gulls of all wu.rts,

mostly Herring and Blackjacked, have covered the sea opposite my house at low tide. With a powerful telescope it was easy to note what

they were eating. Thy worked over an area covered with from about 6" to 8" of

water over the sand. They rose a few feet in the air, then plunged down head first, to let the impetus carry their beaks deeip enough to

grip a razor shell.

Usually they came up with a strip of leathery-looking flesh, and ate it on the surface. But this afternoon I saw a large gull wrestle

out the entire shell complete. He flew off for the shore with the shell sticking straight out of his beak, very much as if he was smoking a magnum Havana. The shore was covered with the empty shells.

Appreciating that they can only avoid starvation - during this severe weather by a close shave, they have turned their attention to these razor shells.

The Ingles, Greenisland, Oo. Antrim.' 8-3-1947. N. V. COOK.

GREEN SANDPIPER AT MALAHIDE.

On Friday, 4th April, I observed on the Malahide Estuary in north Go. Dublin, a small wader which rose, at my approach, to a

good height showing white rump and breast contrasting distinctly with the very dark wings and head, producing a twinkling black and white effect in the brilliant sunshine. Its alarm note was a single musical whistle and as it mounted with a flight very like that of a

Snipe it uttered a cry similar to that of a Redshank. I followed- its course with my field-glasses and saw it settle a few hundred yards ahead, whereupon I approached to within a reasonable distance and watched it feeding on the shore. Its back was very dark brown as was the head, the breast was very white in comparison and I could make out the legs as being a rather dull green. I identified it as a

Green Sandpiper, Tringa ochropus L., which the Handbook labels as a rare spring visitor and verv unusual on the coast.

J. F. SIMMS,

U Vernon Grove, Rathgar, Dublin. 9th April, 1947,

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