NOTES AND QUERIES.
AVES.
Grasshopper-Warbler (Locustella nævia) near Laine, Co. Antrim.—On May 23rd, 1902, while walking up the Keelyglen Burn, my attention was called to the unmistakable notes of a Grasshopper-Warbler; it seemed to be close to the river among some thick bushes, but on approaching closer I discovered the bird sitting on the top of a furzebush among a thick tangle of brambles. I got very close to it, and lay down, when it started its peculiar song, and kept moving its head backwards and forwards. I watched it for a long time, during which it sang at intervals; the duration of each song, I should say, was fully thirty seconds. When I rose it dropped down amongst the brambles, and skulked away. On May 24th I spent over an hour watching and listening to the Grasshopper-Warbler at Keelyglen. I had a good opportunity of viewing it through glasses, although the wind was strong, and it did not sing from the topmost branches, but always kept a little lower down. I easily made out its spotted back and breast, and peculiar shaped tail, and could follow the quick movement of the beak and turning of the head to perfection. When alarmed it flew to another clump of brambles, and after a short interval started its ruling song again; I timed one—I think a short one—as it only lasted twenty-five seconds, the one previous being longer. Thompson says: "It is probably a regular summer visitant to suitable localities from north to south." I expect, from the peculiar skulking habits of the bird, and from the want of observers, it is overlooked in this locality.—W.C. Wright (Charlevoix, Marlborough Park, Belfast).
Holboell's Redpoll in Ireland.—In November, 1894, an immature female of this large—and, in my judgment, easily distinguishable—species was shot on Achill Island, Ireland, and is now in the Baylis collection. This is, I believe, the first instance on record of the occurrence of Cannabina holboelli in Ireland. This specimen, which has been certified by Dr. Bowdler Sharpe, was exhibited by me at the meeting of the British Ornithologists' Club, October, 1901.—F. Coburn (Holloway Head, Birmingham).
