Author: George Barnett

Within the vast expanse of atmosphere that circulates above the beautiful valley of the Moyola River, there lies a considerable stretch of the serial route favoured by wild geese during their migration from the breeding grounds of higher latitudes. To the warmer winter quarters in Ireland I have observed them come in flocks arranged in V formation, each bird keeping an absolutely correct position in the ranks like a well-trained soldier. They appear to be quite certain of their route and destination, as they seldom divert from the straight path but proceed rapidly without any apparent hesitation. The journey must be an exciting one for the younger birds as they gaze upon new scenery, and are perhaps coached in ‘goose language’ by their elders as to the many pitfalls awaiting the unwary. After flying up the Moyola valley for several miles west of Draperstown, they usually cross the Tullybrick Hills in the direction of Davagh River (County Tyrone), and sometimes stop to rest on its banks. I noticed a considerable number of flocks passing up the valley on October 21st, and counted as many as 38 birds in one flock. Their appearance often heralds the approach of a north-east storm, which we had on October 21st and 22nd, accompanied by rain on the former date and snow the next day.– G. B. McKeown (Draperstown)

“G. B. Mc Keown” (Draperstown).–The larger butterfly is the Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta), while the smaller brown one is the common Speckled Wood or Wood Argus (Pararge egeria). The former has been unusually plentiful this year. Most butterflies delight in bright sunlight, but the Speckled Wood is an exception frequenting shady lanes and continuing its solitary flight even on dull days. By the “dark-veined white” butterfly I expect you refer to the green-veined white (Pieris napi); while the early summer species mentioned will be the Orange Tip (Euchloe cardamines).

“G. B. Mc Keown” (Draperstown) also sends two beetles which he says are locally known as “douel” or “dools”. He has at different times seen them killing worms, and remarks that in their actions they are somewhat like earwigs, and suggests that so close is the resemblance it is possible the story of the earwig biting originated through the belief that these beetles really were earwigs. We discussed the earwig question in this column in the early part of the year, and I think it was pretty conclusively proved that the earwig did not nip with its forceps, but that these were simply tools employed in the process of packing away its wings. It is quite possible there is something in our correspondent’s theory, for the beetles he sent are Rove Beetles. The members of this entire family, consisting of many British specimens, have the habit of turning up the abdomen when disturbed or excited, exactly as does the earwig–which, by the way, is not a beetle. From this habit they are known in many districts as “cock-tail beetles”. For the most part they are carnivorous, and prey on all kinds of larvae and on other insects, as well as upon slugs, snails, and worms. They also feed largely on carrion and to some degree on vegetable matter. The well-known “Devil’s Coach-horse” beetle is a member of the family, and is classed as one of our most beneficial insects as it clears the ground of many noxious insects. the scientific name of the beetles sent is Creophilus maxillosus L.–[E.]

Some time ago I was making my way along a trout stream in the Draperstown district, when my attention was drawn to an untidy looking patch of moss, which was growing on an adjacent bank. I proceeded to examine it, and found that beneath the surface layer there was a mass of rock-like matter that had accumulated from the mineral substances held in solution by the waters of a petrifying spring issuing at the same spot. I paid another visit to the same place a few days ago in order to further examine it, and to secure a few specimens along with a description of the occurrence, believing that it would be of interest to the readers of your ‘Nature Notes’ column. I had to cross a considerable stretch of country to reach it and on my way I noticed, in a lane, the tracks of one old and one young badger, also the track of another badger in a second lane. The nuts were brown on the hazel bushes and hanging in beautiful clusters, and the berries were red on the twining honeysuckle. On reaching the place where I had previously detected the petrifying spring, I found on examination that springs of the same nature were issuing from a good many different places, and the stone formed by them usually assumed the shape of whatever plant the matter in solution came in contact with. The moss plants were very beautifully reproduced, even to the most slender and delicate branchlet. In one case a portion of the rock on one side of the stream was worn out bu the action of a side rush of water, leaving a hole that extended into the bank for a couple of yards or thereabouts, the roof the miniature cavern thus formed being covered in a wonderful manner with stalactites, and the floor with a stalagmite sheet, in which was embedded numerous little twigs of driftwood swept in by the stream when in flood, the sides being encrusted with petrified moss. The petrified material was in some cases extremely hard, so that it was a difficult matter to secure specimens. – G. B. Mc Keown (Draperstown).

[Mr. Mc Keown has kindly forwarded me several examples of the petrified moss, really very fine examples, which I shall hand over to the Belfast Museum for preservation. – Ed.]

G. B. Mc Keown (Draperstown) sends the following note on the number of Swallows seen by him at Draperstown between September 1st and 17th:–

September 1st, 20; September 2nd, 15; September 3rd, 20; September 4th, 10; September 5th, 3; September 6th, 10; September 7th, 3; September 8th, 10; September 9th, 100; September 10th, 50; September 11th, 20; September 12th, 1; September 13th, 40; September 14th, 16; September 15th, 0; September 16th, 0; September 17th,6.

Those seen on the last-named date were flying rapidly eastwards, and no more were seen after that date.

G. B. Mc Keown (Draperstown).–The Large Yellow Underwing (Tryphaena pronuba) is a serious pest in gardens, and should be destroyed. The eggs are laid in July on almost any kind of garden plant. The young caterpillars feed throughout the autumn and winter, and conceals itself during the day time beneath the surface of the ground or under a stone. when exposed it rolls itself up into a ring. It is full fed from March to June, when it changes into a smooth reddish-brown chrysalis, just under the top soil, in an oval cavity of its own making. The caterpillar of the Emperor Moth feeds on heather, willow, or blackthorn in August and September, and before winter spins a brown pear-shaped cocoon, similar to those sent. The cocoon is of silk, not paper.

G. B. Mc Keown (Draperstown).– Many thanks for further maps. Why not write an account of the Druid’s Circle; it would certainly be interesting. Please send some of the flints when convenient. Your mineral analysis is not to hand yet.

G. B. Mc Keown (Draperstown).–The so-called Sand-Hopper is the Green Grass-Hopper (Locusta sp.), quite common in Ireland. The butterflies are Small Copper (Polyommatus phloeas).

G. B. Mc Keown (Draperstown).–The moths sent are Large Yellow Underwings (Tryphaena pronuba). The cocoons are of the Emperor Moth (Saturna carpini). When space permits I will give some particulars of each.

G. B. Mc Keown (Draperstown).–Your Sycamore leaves have been examined by an expert botanist. His opinion is that they are of the Variegated Sycamore.  He says–“In the Variegated Sycamore there will of necessity occur branchlets in which the leaves will be difficult to distinguish from the leaves of the ordinary Sycamore. These leaves increase in frequency if the tree is growing under favourable conditions, when it will be likely to produce more chlorophyll (green colouring matter), and this the variegated characteristics will be to a certain extent lost”. Thank you for maps and further details of minerals; these have been duly forwarded.