Part 16

_Innishtrahull._--January 17th, one on island. October 4th, one small Snipe--[may have been Jack Snipe.]--killed striking, at 11 P.M. wind strong S.E., hazy. December 2d, one Snipe; wind strong N., snow. 14th and 15th, a Jack Snipe seen; wind very strong N.E. December 30th, six to eight on island.

_Arranmore._--December 20th, Snipe.

_Rathlin O'Birne._--December 12th, one killed striking; wind fresh W., snow showers. [Leg and wing received.]

_Broadhaven._--December 3d, one Snipe and a Jack Snipe; both are plentiful.

_Arran Island, N._--November 24th, a Snipe on island.

"Sea Larks," &c.

_Fastnet._--September 27th, sixteen "Sand Larks." They frequent rock at intervals all the season. October 28th, four. December 11th, six.

_Coningbeg Light-ship._--May 17th, 4 A.M., one Common Sandpiper got dead on deck. [Leg and wing received.] May 31st, a "little Stint" killed striking at midnight; overcast, showers. [Leg and wing of Curlew; Sandpiper received on June 2d.] August 12th, one killed striking. [Leg and wing of Curlew Sandpiper received.] October 14th, three "Pectoral Sandpipers" about ship; 16th, two do.

_Barrels Rock Light-ship._--May 13th, one "Sand Lark."

_Rockabill._--February 25th, a "Temminck's Stint" killed striking. [Doubtfully accurate. Leg and wing not received.] October 28th, Sandpiper killed striking; gloomy, wing strong E. [Leg and wing of Curlew Sandpiper received.]

_Copeland (Mew) Island._--May 7th, 11 P.M., ten "Sand Larks," six killed striking; misty.

_South Maidens._--January 28th, six "Sand Larks" on rock. February 8th, one.

_Innishtrahull._--September 6th and 7th, a number of "Sand Larks" on island each day; wind strong S.W. December 15th, eight; wind very strong N.E.

_Arranmore._--April 18th, one Ringed Dotterel. June 28th, four "Sand Larks" on rocks. December 28th, seven Dotterel all day; wind strong N.E. 21st, seven.

_Rathlin O'Birne._--November 3d, 3 A.M., one Sand Lark killed striking; wind strong W., squally. [Leg and wing of Purple Sandpiper received.] They are plentiful on rock, and come to dwellings in stormy weather.

_Broadhaven._--December 27th, one Ringed Dotterel.

_Eagle Island, E._--April 7th, five Turnstone and ten Purple Sandpiper on island. [Leg and wing of Purple Sandpiper and Turnstone received.] April 28th, two Common Sandpiper breeding; also last year. October 12th and November 1st, one Turnstone. December 28th, three; a gale from N.W. October 26th, three Purple Sandpipers. November 6th, six remained on island several days.

_Blackrock, Mayo._--November 17th, bird found dead in yard; wind S.W., fresh. "This species is seen on the top of a rock whenever a storm is approaching, and during a gale." [Leg and wing of Turnstone received.]

_Arran Island, N._--December, "Sand Larks" about island.

Redshank (_Totanus calidris_, Linn.).

_Fastnet._--September 21st, two about all day; wind fresh E.

_Coningbeg Light-ship._--October 17th, one seen.

_Innishtrahull._--April 10th, one on island; wind light N.E. December 15th, one; wind very strong N.E. 30th, about ten on island.

_Arran Island, N._--Flocks during January, February, and March about island. December, do.

Greenshank (_Totanus canescens_, Gmel.).

_Dungarvan._--December 5th, six seen on strand.

Curlew (_Numenius arquata_, Linn.).

_Fastnet._--September 5th, six at 2 A.M. about light; clear. 8th, four going S.E.

_Mine Head._--February 7th, two at night calling; fog. March 19th, several during day; great fog. 22d, flying about lantern in night; fog. August 22d, 9 P.M., Curlew heard passing; also noted September 2d, 14th, and December 20th.

_Tuskar Rock._--March 13th, Curlew passed 4.30 A.M.

_Arklow South Light-ship._--February 23d, one about ship.

_Arklow North Light-ship._--September 25th, Curlew about lantern 10 P.M.

_Rockabill._--March 19th, Curlew about all day. June 16th and July 28th, noted.

_South Maidens._--March 19th, five going N.E.; wind strong S. 26th, 3 A.M., fifty; wind strong S.W.

_Innishtrahull._--January 2d, 14th, 21st, and February 16th, three to seven noticed about island. September 8th, a flock on island.

_Dunree Head._--Noted November 2d, 5th, and December 9th.

_Arranmore._--December 15th, three.

_Killybegs._--April 8th, six. Noted October 8th, 12th, and 26th.

_Broadhaven._--October 19th, Curlew in flocks remain here.

_Eagle Island, E._--March 28th, one.

_Arran Island, N._--Curlew during February and March. Noted also April 30th.

_Tearaght._--August 21st, two going N.E. September 13th, one seen.

Whimbrel (_Numenius phæopus_, Linn.).

_Mine Head._--August 17th, four going S.W., flying at about 400 feet, and calling.

_Dungarvan._--September 10th, two; rare at this season. 21st, four flying high to S.E., and whistling.

_Coningbeg light-ship._--April 28th, a flock passed N. over ship; wind N.E., fresh, hazy.

_Innishtrahull._--June 4th and 7th, a few "young Curlew" about island; misty. [Probably Whimbrel.]

_Arranmore._--June 26th, one Whimbrel going S.E. December 17th, two [? Curlew.].

_Blackrock, Mayo._--May 10th, sixty May birds going N.E.; wind N., light.

Terns.

_Fastnet._--September 4th, several "Mew Gulls" in night. None struck; misty.

_Coningbeg Light-ship._--May 25th and 26th, great flocks of Common Tern about ship; 30th, one flock.

_Rockabill._--May 22d, Terns noticed.

_Copeland (Mew) Island._--May 19th, forty "mews" or "Sea-Purrs"--first arrival. June 5th, fifty hatching on island. 18th, a hundred about island. September 11th, they left to-day. They build on rocks and on grass; not more than four eggs in each nest.

_Innishtrahull._--May 27th, two "Sea-Tern" about island.

_Killybegs._--May 16th, two Terns. June 3d, about eight.

_Eagle Island, E._--May 31st, two "Sea-Mew."

_Arran Island, N._--June 14th and 16th, a flock of Tern about. July 16th, a flock. September 16th, do.

_Tearaght._--October 3d, "Lesser Terns." Hundreds flying about; remained until 7th October.

Gulls.

_Fastnet._--September 4th, flocks of Grey Gulls going S.E.; seemed this year's birds. November 5th, two large Royal Gulls seen; rare here. Small Royal [Lesser Black-backed?--R. M. B.] Gulls frequent rock during year. December 10th, Kittiwakes in large numbers about rock feeding.

_Mine Head._--March 2d, Black-headed Gulls and Herring Gulls in fields. July 19th to 31st, about thirty to a hundred Gulls about and at intervals after. August 9th, about sixty Kittiwakes on rocks; also Herring Gulls, Black-headed, and Common Gulls. September 27th, one Royal Gull. December 12th, January 13th and 20th, one to three Royal Gulls. January 1887, Kittiwakes do not remain here.

_Dungarvan._--September 11th, thousands of Black-headed Gulls fishing.

_Barrels Rock Light-ship._--March 27th, large flocks of Gulls. April 17th, do. going E.; wind E., fresh.

_Rockabill._--December 14th, large numbers of Gulls during storm from E.

_Innishtrahull._--April 16th, 17th, and 20th, a few Black-headed and numbers of "Common" Gulls. September 8th to 11th, a number of Grey-backed Gulls. December 15th, Herring Gulls, Kittiwakes, and "Grey Gulls" still in vicinity.

_Dunree Head._--June 7th, flocks. December 14th, eight.

_Arranmore._--May 21st, "shot a bird which answers the description of Richardson Skua given in the 'Dictionary of British Birds.'" [Leg and wing not forwarded.]

_Killybegs._--July 11th, forty.

_Broadhaven._--September 25th, five Black-headed Gulls and flock of Kittiwake.

_Blackrock, Mayo._--March 6th, flock of Gulls about rock; 21st, "small Gulls" first visit rock to breed. November 5th, two uncommon Gulls soaring during day; wind N., strong. "They were cream-coloured Gulls, about the size of a small Royal Gull, or a little larger than the Kittiwake; bill and legs like the latter; dusky cream colour on breast, but a richer cream colour on the back; covert feathers of wings edged with a shade darker colour, marking the feathers very distinctly; the long feathers of wings gradually becoming lighter towards the tips to an ivory shade; wing full and well developed. I wounded one bird, and it flew to the mainland; the other was less distinctly marked. They are same sort as visited locality in 1881." [_See_ 1881 Report, p. 86; 1882 Report, p. 104; 1884 Report, p. 181.] January 6th, 1887, twenty Royal Gulls; seldom see so many, as they generally go in couples.

_Slyne Head, S._--October 10th, flocks of Gulls.

_Arran Island, N._--Flocks in May and March, July and August.

_Samphire Island._--January, February, and March, Cormorants and Gulls.

_Tearaght._--February 27th, a large flock of Herring Gulls. March 5th, Kittiwakes flying round island. August 24th, one Skua Gull chasing Gulls close to island. October 4th, thousands of Kittiwakes. During October Kittiwakes, all young, plentiful.

_Skelligs._--March 12th, Kittiwakes first landed on rock. December 10th, great number of Kittiwake, Herring Gulls, and a few Great Black-backed.

Manx Shearwater (_Puffinus anglorum_, Temminck).

_Fastnet._--May 24th, 1 A.M., six; one killed striking; misty; the first seen since I came here.

_Mine Head._--June 29th, heard distinctly several times about 11 P.M. calm and dark.

_Coningbeg Light-ship._--May 27th and 28th, several about the ship. In September, several.

_Barrels Rock Light-ship._--March 27th, large flock Manx Shearwaters; wind strong f S.W. May 23d, flocks apparently after fish.

_Arklow North Light-ship._--May 1st, large flock of "Mackerel Cocks" going E.

_Rockabill._--April 22d, one caught on balcony at midnight; wind E., gloomy.

_Arranmore._--March 18th, eighteen about rocks, the first seen; wind strong S., misty.

_Blackrock, Mayo._--October 23d, some going S. November 2d, a great quantity, 7 to 9 A.M., going S.W.; wind strong S.W.

_Slyne Head, S._--November 3d, continuous flocks going S.W., from 9 to 11 A.M.; width of string about 100 yards.

_Tearaght._--April 11th, heard for first time this year.

_Skelligs._--February 25th, 10 P.M., wind strong S.W.; misty; first heard on rock. August 26th, the last night bird heard on rock.

Fork-tailed Petrel (_Cymochorea leucorrhoa_, Vieill.).

_Eagle Island, W._--October, 2d week, one caught at lantern. [Leg and wing received.]

Stormy Petrel (_Procellaria pelagica_, Linn.).

_Fastnet._--August 24th, three about lantern in night; first this season.

_Coningbeg Light-ship._--September 21st to 23d, several about ship during day; wind fresh, clear. 24th, three on ship, midnight. Noted also October 5th, 8th, 10th, to 13th; and on 15th there was storm from W.; great numbers about ship.

_Barrels Rock Light-ship._--September 25th, two. October 8th, five. 12th, fourteen about ship; stormy. December 9th, five; wind N.W., fresh.

_Tuskar Rock._--September 26th, 4 A.M., one caught alive.

_Arklow South Light-ship._--October 15th, one in water about ship.

_Rockabill._--June 8th, 4 P.M., six; wind strong S.

_Rathlin O'Birne._--October 1st, one found dead on island.

_Eagle Island, E._--May 24th, one caught alive. [Received in flesh.] The only one seen since I came here.

_Blackrock, Mayo._--May 5th, some about light, 1 A.M. foggy; the first seen. June 5th, numbers about light during night; wind light S.W., gloomy. September 24th, 1 A.M., one caught at lantern.

_Tearaght._--April 14th, several flying round light all night. October 30th, some struck 2 A.M., none killed.

_Skelligs._--April 27th, 10 P.M., one struck, disabled. May 7th, first heard under stones.

Razorbill (_Alca torda_, Linn.).

_Fastnet._--October 26th, several large flocks passing S.E. at intervals of about 15 minutes. December 10th, large numbers about rock.

_Mine Head._--February 14th, several young Razorbills seen at intervals. July 9th and 10th, several. August 9th, young Razorbills heard--and at all hours on the water up to September 1st.

_Rathlin Island._--March 17th, flocks.

_Arranmore._--March 10th, eight Razorbills; wind fresh S.E., misty.

_Blackrock, Mayo._--March 16th, "flocks of Auks" on water. 22d, do.

_Tearaght._--March 14th, Razorbills arrived. August 9th, Guillemots and Razorbills left rock by this date. September 25th, Razorbills old and young fishing about island. October 4th, young Razorbills in water by thousands; plentiful during October, all young. November 9th, Razorbills about rock in thousands.

_Skelligs._--March 12th, first came on rock. August 14th (see under Puffin). December 10th, a number of young Razorbills about rock; remained all month. 17th, several old ones, and Guillemot to 31st.

Guillemot (_Uria troile_, Linn.).

_Mine Head._--July 26th, a few.

_Dungarvan._--September 15th, in great numbers; fishing.

_Barrels Rock Light-ship._--May 30th to June 3d, flocks of "Murs" passing S.E. Noted also December 1st to 5th, and numerous flocks on December 10th going S.W.

_Rathlin Island._--March 17th, flocks on water.

_Arranmore._--March 8th, twenty-eight, first seen; wind strong S., misty.

_Killybegs._--October 16th, three seen. 28th, four.

_Blackrock, Mayo._--January 24th, flock of Guillemots at noon; wind fresh N.E.

_Tearaght._--February 5th, Guillemots arrived on rock, 8 A.M.; wind strong S.E. August 9th, Guillemots and Razorbills all gone by this date.

_Skelligs._--January 28th, first landed on rock; wind S.E., fresh. August 14th (see under Puffin). December 17th, several to 31st.

Little Auk (_Mergulus alle_, Linn.).

_Mine Head._--March 28th, about half a dozen answering the description of Roche given in Morris' "Birds."

Puffin (_Fratercula arctica_, Linn.).

_Fastnet._--April 12th, 7 A.M., about sixty alighted on the Little Fastnet. A most unusual occurrence. September 25th, an immense number, 6 to 8 A.M., close to rock; came from W., and left in a body for S.E.; misty, wind fresh S.W.

_Coningbeg Light-ship._--In September several about ship.

_Barrels Rock Light-ship._--March 26th, two Sea Parrots at 5 P.M. drifting past; wind strong S.W.; the first seen. May 2d, Sea Parrots drifting past to E. 4th and 9th, constantly passing.

_Rockabill._--December 14th, 11 A.M., a storm from E. Large numbers of "Puffins." [Probably Razorbills.]

_Rathlin Island._--March 17th, flocks.

_Innishtrahull._--June 7th to 16th, a number fishing.

_Dunree Head._--June 26th, flocks.

_Arranmore._--March 9th, ten Puffins; the first seen; wind strong S., gloomy.

_Eagle Island, E._--March 26th to 31st, flocks of "Puffins and Sea Parrots" going W. April 3d and 29th, small flocks going W. October 13th to 18th, continuous flocks of Sea Parrots going W.; wind strong N.W.

_Blackrock, Mayo._--April 11th, Puffins first arrived on water. 23d, first perched on rock.

_Arran Island, N._--February 14th, several flocks of "Puffins" [?--R. M. B.] going N. Large flocks in May. In July and August, Puffins.

_Tearaght._--March 25th, Puffins arrived in large numbers. August 15th, all gone by this date.

_Valencia._--A few at intervals, June, July, and August. Four struck, August 12th, none killed.

_Skelligs._--March 21st, first came on rock for about two hours, 4 P.M. April 2d, Puffins landed _en masse_, 3 P.M. wind strong S.W. August 6th, great numbers left. 14th, most of the birds left, except a few Puffins--night birds (Manx Shearwater)--and Mother Careys. 27th, all gone.

Great Northern Diver (_Colymbus glacialis_, Linn.).

_Mine Head._--March. 28th, one seen off boat-landing.

_Dungarvan._--January 1st, 1887, three resting on water, calling loudly to each other; wind S.W., fresh.

_Rockabill._--March 13th, a Northern Diver all day; wind light E. April 17th, one. November 4th, one about rock.

_Broadhaven._--October 24th, one seen fishing; wind S.E., light.

Cormorant (includes Shag).

_Fastnet._--September 4th, two flocks Green Cormorants going S.E.

_Mine Head._--April 19th, a few Crested Cormorants hatching on cliffs; thirty or forty of the common kind also hatching. They return to the cliffs in the evening summer and winter. They do not follow the coast line, but keep a straight course overland.

_Coningbeg Light-ship._--May 29th, two going W. October 9th, one on ship.

_Barrels Rock Light-ship._--October 26th, two. November 2d, two going E.

_Tuskar Rock._--December 16th, fifteen on rock.

_Rockabill._--July 25th and 27th, some seen. November 4th, Cormorants.

_Rathlin Island._--May 30th, two Green Cormorants.

_Innishtrahull._--January 15th, eleven on rocks; wind W., strong. October 6th, three. Cormorants are constantly here.

_Dunree Head._--April 21st, a flock; also noted June 29th, September 23d, October 24th, November 10th, and from December 20th to 28th, in great numbers. On every occasion they were going N.

_Broadhaven._--September 25th, twelve Green Cormorants and two hundred Cormorants.

_Eagle Island, E._--April 2d, one. October 26th, may be seen almost daily; are residents.

_Blackrock, Mayo._--January 26th, a strange Cormorant on rock 10 A.M. wind strong N.E. "Grey head with black band from base of beak to neck; white patch under eye, and deep green crest; rich bronze green back, and white patch on sides." February 26th, a strange Cormorant. April 1st and 10th, do. January 8th, 1887, two strange Cormorants. The male was the same as in January 1886; the female had breast dusky white, getting gradually brown up to the neck; back, the same as the Common Cormorant.

_Arran Island, N._--During May, flocks passing. In July and August, some.

_Samphire Island._--January, February, and March, Cormorants and Gulls.

_Valencia._--Three or four June 1st, 8th, July 4th, and 26th.

Gannet (_Sula bassana_, Linn.).

_Fastnet._--April 18th, large flocks of Gannets seen since 1st inst. May 21st, three large flocks going N.W.; several of last year's birds among them. October 25th, several flocks.

_Mine Head._--August 11th, one seen. None for a long time before this; scarce here.

_Dungarvan._--September 15th, Gannets.

_Coningbeg light-ship._--May 24th, two about ship. In September, several.

_Barrels Rock light-ship._--July 12th, three going W. September 22d, two going E. October 8th, odd Gannets going E. all day. December 1st to 5th, Gannets.

_Tuskar Rock._--October 30th, a great number about rock.

_Arklow South Light-ship._--April 12th, flocks; 17th to 27th, one to ten at intervals flying N.E. May 1st, several going S.E. all day. August 22d and 23d, several flocks flying N.E. September 19th, large flock going N.E. Noted also 22d, 25th, and several on 26th flying S.W.

_Arklow North Light-ship._--March 30th, flocks going N. April 13th to 20th, flocks going N. at intervals. May 1st, do.; 6th, large flocks going S. September 18th, flocks.

_Kish Light-ship._--A few Gannets noted May 8th, 12th, June 3d, 18th, July 3d, 28th, and August 26th, generally going N.E.

_Rockabill._--January 28th, Gannets all day.

_Copeland (Mew) Island._--June 12th, twenty in vicinity. July 4th, some going S.

_Innishtrahull._--March 12th, five going N.W.; wind light S.E.--the first seen this year. 28th, three. April 29th, a number fishing. October 4th, one Gannet. December 15th, none seen since October 4th.

_Dunree Head._--September 8th, twenty seen; 24th, one.

_Arranmore._--March 11th, Gannets first seen; wind fresh S.E., misty.

_Broadhaven._--September 25th, Gannets in thousands all day.

_Eagle Island, E._--March 26th and 31st, continuous flocks of Gannets going W. April 18th to 28th, forty to fifty fishing; 29th, small flock. October 13th to 18th, continuous flocks going W.; wind strong N.W. 27th, twenty.

_Blackrock, Mayo._--January 24th, three Gannets--first seen for year. 26th, flocks going N. March 7th, seven--the last seen going N. 22d, flocks fishing about rock. September 20th, odd Gannets going S. 26th, small numbers passing S. during day; wind strong S. October 2d, great numbers passing S., flying low, and not fishing; wind strong S.E.

_Arran Island, N._--February 16th, flocks all day going N. June 10th, very numerous all day. In July and August, Gannets in flocks.

_Tearaght._--February 27th, Gannets going S. October 6th, hundreds of old and young close to rock. During October Gannets were plentiful; they came from N. about daylight; some remained until noon, and then went S.

_Skelligs._--February 6th, first landed on the Little Skellig; wind fresh W. August 27th, still on Little Skellig. September 26th, Gannet left the Little Skellig.

Heron (_Ardea cinerea_, Linn.)

_Mine Head._--January 26th, one. June 13th, one passed S.W. September 4th, two flying high to S.; calm. 24th, one going N. November 3d, one.

_Barrels Rock Light-ship._--July 27th, five "Cranes" going S.E. September 26th, two going W.

_Rockabill._--July 16th, a "Crane" at 11 A.M. December 30th, one Heron 2 P.M., going W.

_Rathlin Island._--May 16th, two Herons going W.

_Arranmore._--June 28th, three Herons going S.E.; wind light S.W. December 19th, one.

_Broadhaven._--November 18th, seven going S; wind strong S.W.

_Arran Island, N._--May 9th, one Heron on island; calm. June 6th, one. July 20th, one. August 1st, two.

Geese.

_Mine Head._--November 21st, two going N., 3 P.M.

_Dungarvan._--November 17th, two swimming in sea 7 A.M.

_Rockabill._--June 20th, three Wild Geese.

_Innishtrahull._--May 15th, one shot. November 4th, twenty-seven flying very high to S.; wind very strong S.W. November 25th, 30th, and December 2d, four to seven passing S.W. On November 26th, a large flock going N.E., and making a great noise. December 21st to 24th, six to eight about island, Brent Geese; stormy from S.W.

_Tory Island._--Wild Geese, four to twenty-four noted January 6th, 10th, 11th, 24th, February 5th, and May 12th--in every case coming from N. and going S. January 25th, nine Barnacle on lake.

_Arranmore._--December 21st, Barnacle.

_Rathlin O'Birne._--September 18th, eighteen Barnacle going S.--the first seen; earlier than usual; wind light N.E. 21st, seven going S.; never saw so many passing so early in season. December 23d, forty-five, two killed by keeper. January 5th, 1887, more Barnacle passed here this winter than for some years previous. They are apparently returning N. now, as several hundred passed on the 3d inst., and did not alight on island.

_Broadhaven._--October 28th, a flock of Brent Geese going S.; wind S.E., strong. December 3d, great numbers of Wild Geese.

_Eagle Island, B._--April 13th, large flock of Barnacle going N. 17th, a flock heard passing 11 P.M. October 19th, about a hundred Barnacle going S.W.; wind N.E., light. December 1st, one shot.

_Blackrock, Mayo._--November 3d, one on rock shot. 25th, ten "Grey Lags or Grass Barnacle" about rock, six shot; some about lantern 11 P.M. gloomy.

_Slyne Head, S._--October 6th, sixteen Barnacle going S.W.--the first this winter; noted also 22d and 26th. November 13th, three "young Barnacle," two shot. November 16th, eighteen.

_Arran Island, N._--April 26th, five Wild Geese going N.E. November 6th to 9th, a few Barnacle noted.

_Samphire Island._--January, February, and March, Barnacle and Wild Duck; they leave last week in April.

Ducks.

_Fastnet._--October 24th, six Duck.

_Dungarvan._--September 10th, thirteen on rock. 14th, large flock of Golden Widgeon--first this season. 30th, about forty Widgeon. November 27th, seven Teal; not plentiful here. December 1st, large flock of Common Duck; 27th, large flock of Teal.

_Barrels Rock Light-ship._--July 27th, seven Wild Duck.

_Tuskar Rock._--November 27th, one Wild Duck at lantern at midnight; misty. December 19th, one on rock.

_Arklow North Light-ship._--May 3d, flock going N. September 15th, three. October 20th, some Wild Ducks round ship.

_Kish Light-ship._--March 1st, flock going S.

_Rockabill._--January 26th, Wild Duck passing W. March 15th, Wild Duck all day. June 5th, "Eider Duck and young" [?--R. M. B.]. October 29th, four Wild Duck 10 A.M.

_Copeland (Mew) Island._--April 22d, two. August 3d, one and six young ones. 7th, one struck lantern 11 P.M.; wounded; very dark; wind light.