Part 17

Whimbrel and Curlew.

_Old Head, Kinsale._--April 25th, 11 p.m., Whimbrel all around light; wind E., strong, rain and fog. I never saw such a rush of these birds before. Dec. 20th, sixty to hundred all day; wind N.W., strong. Two shot.

_Dungarvan._---April 23rd, two large flocks of Whimbrel going N.W., flying wild and excited, wind S., fresh; 24th, small flocks all day going N.W.; also on 26th and 27th. On 28th great numbers of Curlew are entered, going S.E. and S.; wind N.E., light. May 5th, great numbers of Whimbrel all day going W. and N.W.; wind N.W. Never so numerous in this locality. May 14th, small flocks all day going N.W. June 25th, twenty Curlews going N.W., scarce all the spring; 30th, vast numbers of Curlew arriving in great numbers and going N.W. all day; wind N.W., fresh. July 10th, large flocks going N.W.; 28th, large flock.

_Coningbeg Light-ship._--April 19th, flocks of Whimbrel going N.E., high over ship at 11 p.m.; wind light, N.E. May 1st, six going N.W.; wind S.W., fresh. Aug. 24th and Sept. 11th, two going N.E.

_Tuskar Rock._--April 6th, two Curlews going E. May 10th, seven going N., wind fresh S.S.W.; 17th, one on rock all day, apparently tired; 28th, one young Curlew (Whimbrel?) killed striking. Sept. 5th, two going N.W.; wind N.W.

_Arklow South Light-ship._--July 27th, one Curlew going N.W.

_Howth Baily._--Nov. 10th, twenty-three in fields; 16th, flocks.

_Rockabill._--March 14th, Curlews about the light at night; one killed striking; wind S.E., misty. May 26th, Curlews going W., wind N.E., light; 28th, ditto. July 9th, "May-birds" going W. Sept. 1st, Curlews seen; remaining.

_South Maidens._--April 23rd, several Curlews over lighthouse, 10 p.m.; did not strike. Aug. 21st, nine going S.; 23rd and 24th, eight and twenty going S.W. and E.

_Rathlin Island._--April 4th, Curlews heard at night; 9th, two. May 23rd, "May-birds" on the island. Nov. 13th, fifteen going S.W.; wind N.W., light.

_Innishtrahull._--Feb. 28th, flock of Curlews; remained till end of August. May 8th, flocks of about twenty young Curlews all day. "They are commonly called May-birds."

_Tory Island._--Jan. 29th, one "Jack Curlew" going S.W. Feb. 27th, five Curlews in field. March 2nd, seven going S.

_Arranmore._--Oct. 13th, fourteen Curlews going N.W.; wind N.W., strong.

_Rathlin O'Birne._--March, ten to twenty Curlews frequent this island.

_Killybegs._--Sept. 14th, several flocks of Curlews alighted, twelve to twenty in each; wind light, E. Dec. 27th, four flying about.

_Oyster Island, North._--April 1st, four Curlews came from N.W. and alighted on island.

_Broadhaven._--May 1st, several flocks of "May-birds" going N.W.; seen up to May 31st.

_Blackrock, Mayo._--April 15th, Whimbrel at midnight, apparently flying N.; wind N., light. July 14th, eleven Curlews, 9 a.m., wind S.E., strong, going W. Aug. 5th, eighteen, at 9 a.m., going N.W., flying high; wind light, S.E. Sept. 22nd, nine alighted; wind strong, N.W. Oct. 6th, seventeen going S., wind light, S.E.; 23rd, eleven alighted.

_Clare Island._--Sept. 6th, large flocks of Curlews over the fields.

_Arran Island, North._--Aug. 22nd, one Curlew killed striking; wind light, W., foggy. Oct. 1st, twenty.

_Straw Island._--April 23rd, fifteen Curlews going N. Nov. 23rd, thirty going N.E.; wind S. Dec. 15th, twenty going S.

_Tearaght._--March 4th, one Curlew; remained about a fortnight. Sept. 5th, one going E.; one or two afterwards on several other dates. One female shot Nov. 17th. Sept. 18th, one Whimbrel flying about island.

_Valencia._--Sept. 5th, twenty Curlews; always here.

_Skelligs._--Aug. 9th to 23rd, a few Curlews heard and seen.

_Dursey Island._--Curlews, four to twelve, April 20th to May 12th, at intervals, going W. or N.W.

Woodcock.

_Fastnet._--Nov. 14th, five about lantern. Two killed striking; wind N.E., fresh, misty.

_Old Head, Kinsale._--Dec. 2nd, two Woodcocks; one shot.

_Coningbeg Light-skip._--May 26th, one killed striking.

_Tuskar Rock._--March 4th, one went W.; wind strong, N.E.

_Howth Baily._--Oct. 9th, one killed striking, 5 a.m.; wind N.W., light, rain.

_Rockabill._--Nov. 14th, 8 p.m., one killed striking; wind E., light, gloomy.

_South Maidens._--Feb. 15th, one killed against glass, 3 a.m.; wind strong, N., snow, weather thick. March 25th, one on rock at 5 a.m.; remained two days, went S.W.; weather clear, calm.

_Rathlin Island._--Dec. 29th, three going S.; wind E., fresh.

_Tory Island._--Jan. 30th, one Woodcock.

_Arranmore._--Dec. 10th, one Woodcock going S.E.; wind W., light.

_Clare Island._--July, several Woodcocks; the summer being dry, they are more numerous than other years. Aug. 25th, Woodcocks seen.

_Slyne Head, North._--Oct. 13th, one killed striking, 3 a.m.

_Arran Island, North._--Nov. 3rd, one on island; wind S., strong.

_Skelligs._--Nov. 10th, one found killed by a Hawk; 12th, one seen.

Snipe.

_Fastnet._--Sept. 15th, one "Jack Snipe" killed striking at midnight, rainy and thick; wind E.N.E., fresh.

_Old Head, Kinsale._--Dec. 2nd, ten Snipes; five shot.

_Tuskar Rock._--March 4th, one Snipe found dead; wind strong, N.E.

_Rockabill._--Nov. 14th, 8 p.m., one killed striking; wind E., light, gloomy. A Woodcock also killed.

_Rathlin Island._--Dec. 8th, one Jack Snipe; "at all times." 10th, Snipes numerous.

_Innishtrahull._--March 17th, one Jack Snipe. Snipe scarce this season.

_Tory Island._--Jan. 20th, four resting on island. Feb. 27th, two in fields.

_Arranmore._--Dec. 9th, eight Snipe; wind S.E., strong.

_Rathlin O'Birne._--March, two to six frequent marsh.

_Broadhaven._--Oct. 21st, two "flocks" going S.W.; they generally stay about station.

_Arran Island, North._--Nov. 29th, one going S.; wind S., light.

_Tearaght._--Feb. 23rd, one. March 4th, one; 17th, one. Not observed after this date.

Corn Crake.

_Old Head, Kinsale._--Dec. 20th, one at 1 p.m.; wind N.W., strong. I shot this bird in a wood. It is strange to see it at this time of year.

_Dungarvan._--April 22nd, one heard; first time. May 10th, one heard.

_Tuskar Rock._--March 28th, one caught on rock at noon; wind moderate, E. May 25th, one alighted on rock a few minutes, going N.W.; wind E.; drizzle, misty.

_Rockabill._--May 8th, one [leg and wing forwarded.--R. M. B.] 27th, caught two in night; wind light, S., misty.

_Rathlin Island._--May 1st, Corn Crake, 8 a.m.; wind S.W., fresh.

_Arranmore._ June 8th, two Corn Crakes arrived; wind E., light.

_Rathlin O'Birne._--July 30th, one on island; seldom seen.

Geese.

_Tuskar Rock._--Oct. 16th, one "Brent Goose" shot. The first ever seen by me here.

_Arklow North Light-ship._--Dec. 27th, a flock going S.; wind light, S.

_Howth Baily._--Aug. 30th, sixty-seven Barnacles going W. at 2 p.m.; wind S.W., light. Sept. 5th, thirteen going W.; wind N.W., fresh.

_Rockabill._--Oct. 21st, Barnacles going N., 11 a.m.; wind S. Dec. 29th, Wild Geese going S., 9 a.m.; wind light, S.

_Copeland Island._--Feb. 3rd, eight Wild Geese.

_Rathlin Island._--Aug. 23rd, nine Wild Geese going N.W.; Nov. 16th, a flock going S.; wind S.E., light.

_Innishtrahull._--April 1st to 10th, several flocks of Barnacles and Wild Geese going N.; 18th, flocks of Barnacles going N.E. May 4th, one Barnacle.

_Dunree Head._--Jan. 12th, flock of Wild Geese going N.; wind N.W., strong. Feb. 10th and 16th, flock of Barnacles, about sixty, going N.; wind N., strong both days. Barnacles frequent a place called Inch, nine miles distant. Oct. 16th, flocks of Wild Geese; 20th to 27th and Nov. 4th, ditto; 16th to 24th and 26th, flocks of Barnacles.

_Tory Island._--Feb. 5th, three Barnacles going S. March 17th, Wild Geese going W., wind S.W., fresh; 26th, six Barnacles going E.; wind S.E., light.

_Arranmore._--March 26th, three flocks left on this date. Oct. 20th, one flock of Barnacles arrived on island, wind S.E., strong; 23rd, another flock, wind N.E., strong; they remain all the winter. Dec. 21st, twenty-four going N.E.; wind E., light.

_Rathlin O'Birne._--Nov. 7th, nine; 9th, eleven; 11th, forty, in each case going S.E., wind N. Eleven rested on island; shot four of them.

_Oyster Island, North._--March 17th, forty going N.W., alighted; wind strong, S. April 1st, fourteen flying S.E.; wind S., light.

_Broadhaven._--Oct. 1st, six dozen Wild Geese going W.; wind W., strong.

_Eagle Island, East._--Nov. 20th, about eighty Barnacles going N.E.; wind strong, N.W. I only saw one flock this autumn. At Killybegs I very frequently saw flocks of Wild Geese passing overhead in autumn. Perhaps this island is out of their track, being more to west.

_Blackrock, Mayo._--April 5th, twenty Wild Geese going N.W.; wind light, E.

_Blacksod._--Nov. 3rd, twenty-four Wild Geese, and seen during month at intervals. Dec. 27th, some seen.

_Clare Island._--Nov. 13th, about two dozen Wild Geese going N.W.; wind light, E.

_Slyne Head, North._--Nov. 4th, Barnacles, about twenty.

_Arran Island, North._--Oct. '24th, one Wild Goose going N.W. Nov. 10th, one shot.

_Straw Island._--Dec. 18th, six Wild Geese going N.; wind strong, N.W.

_Tearaght._--Oct. 11th, two going N.W.; wind strong, N.E.

_Valencia._--Oct. 15th, twelve going S.E.

Ducks.

_Old Head, Kinsale._--Dec. 2nd, thirty Ducks; three shot.

_Dungarvan._--May 13th, one Wild Duck going E.; rare so late in season. June 26th, two. July 24th, two. Oct. 14th and 15th, large flocks of "golden-headed Widgeon" in Bay; wind light, N. Nov. 3rd, large flocks of "common Wild Ducks" flying out to sea, calm.

_Coningbeg Light-ship._--May 5th, eleven Wild Ducks going W.

_Arklow South Light-ship._--Feb. 3rd, two flocks flying N.

_Arklow North Light-ship._--Nov. 16th, a flock going S.W.; wind light, S.E.

_Kish Light-ship._--May 23rd, seven going N.W., high; wind N.E. June 20th, two grey Wild Ducks in water.

_Rockabill._--Dec. 4th, twenty Wild Ducks going W. at noon, wind S.W., light; 19th, Wild Ducks about light, wind S.W., stormy, with rain; one killed striking, 2 a.m.

_Copeland Island._--Jan. 20th, large flocks of Teals and Ducks; they appear to resort Mew and Copeland Islands from November to March, when they leave and are not seen again.

_Rathlin Island._--May 25th, five going N.W., wind S.E., light; 28th, two going S.E., wind S.E. Aug. 26th, six going N.W. Sept. 7th, two flocks of Ducks going S.; wind N.W., light. Dec. 7th, Wild Ducks at all times, remain all the year; 12th, five "Shelldrakes" going S., wind W., light.

_Dunree Head._--Jan. 20th, flocks going N.; wind W. They frequent a place called Inch, nine miles distant. Dec. 24th, 27th, 29th, 30th, large flocks about.

_Tory Island._--March 2nd, two Wild Ducks.

_Arranmore._--Sept. 4th, one Wild Duck on a lake in island.

_Rathlin O'Birne._--July 9th, three going E.; seldom seen.

_Clare Island._--April 6th, three Wild Ducks on a lake in island.

_Straw Island._--Feb. 26th, four going S.W., foggy. Nov. 3rd, twenty-two going S.; wind W., strong. Dec. 1st, six "Shelldrakes" going N.E.; wind W., strong.

Merganser.

_Dungarvan._--May 6th, two at 5 a.m. going E. Dec. 9th, five feeding in bay.

_Oyster Island, North._--Feb. 6th, four from N.E. alighted in river; wind S.E., strong. March 18th, one in river.

"Grebe."

_Innishtrahull._--May 3rd, one Grebe, 2 p.m.; wind high, W.

Great Northern Diver.

_Fastnet._--May 9th, one Northern Diver going N.; wind W.S.W.

_Dungarvan._--Sept. 25th, one Great Northern Diver feeding, wind S.W., strong; 26th, three. Nov. 13th, three.

_Howth Baily._--Oct. 12th, one swimming on bay; wind N., light.

_Clare Island._--During October a few pairs about the rocks.

_Straw Island._--Nov. 28th, two going S., calm.

Guillemot.

_Old Head, Kinsale._--April 20th, commence to build about this date.

_Barrels Rock Light-ship._--Aug. 29th, Sept. 2nd and 3rd, large flocks of "Murs," apparently after fish. Nov. 12th, a few; 21st, small flock. Dec. 28th and 29th, large flocks of "Puffins or Murs" going S.E.

_Arklow North Light-ship._--April 22nd, a great quantity of "Murs" going N.; wind S., fresh.

_Rathlin Island._--May 26th, continuous flocks going N.W. all day; wind S.E., light. Aug. 22nd, Guillemots leaving island.

_Dunree Head._--April, Guillemots arrived. On water all day during month.

_Arranmore._--May 22nd, two Guillemots.

_Blackrock, Mayo._--June 7th, Guillemots about rock all day. In about a week they began to come up.

_Tearaght._--Jan. 28th, Guillemots arrived. Feb. 24th, came on rock. Began to leave about 20th July; all gone by Aug. 5th. Jan. 12th, 1885, one diving. "I think it should be noted in the Annual Report that it is some time during the night that these birds come on the rock this time of the year, and as the morning twilight fades they disappear one after another."

_Skelligs._--Feb. 5th, Guillemots first appeared on rock. April 12th, continuous flocks. July 20th, noticed young fledged Guillemots leaving rock. Aug. 5th, all left with one or two exceptions. Dec. 22nd, one Guillemot fishing.

"Little Auk or Rotche."

_Tearaght._--Dec. 21st, two. Jan. 9th, one diving among the young Razorbills.

Puffin.

_Old Head, Kinsale._--April 20th, commence to build about this date. May 20th, hundreds of Puffins; 28th, ditto.

_Dungarvan._--July 5th, 12th, 25th, and 31st, numbers all day in bay feeding.

_Coningbeg Light-ship._--April 5th, flocks going S.W.; clear. May 6th and 7th, passed at distance in great flocks, going W. and S.W., wind N. to N.W., light; 12th, several thousands, going W. and S.W.; 18th, 19th, 22nd, and 23rd, "various kinds" in great flocks, ditto: 26th and 27th, some; 29th, 31st, and June 8th, several "Parrot-billed Puffins" about. June 10th, great flocks of Puffins about. Dec. 28th to Jan. 8th, 1885, great flocks of "Puffins" about ship.

_Barrels Rock Light-ship._--Flocks of "Puffins" noted on Feb. 6th, 8th, 18th, and 19th, going E. and S.W. "Parrots" noted, April 20th and 24th, May 6th and 8th, going W.

_Tuskar Rock._--"Puffins and Sea-parrots" almost always on the rock; scarce this summer.

_Howth Baily._--Aug. 19th, numbers in bay after fry.

_South Maidens._--Aug. 23rd and 24th, large flocks in vicinity.

_Rathlin Island._--Aug. 22nd, Puffins, Guillemots, and Razorbills leaving island.

_Innishtrahull._--April 1st, several "Puffins and Sea-parrots" all day round island. May 6th, several Puffins.

_Rathlin O'Birne._--July, twenty to one hundred on rocks.

_Eagle Island, East._--Oct. 20th, about two hundred "Puffins," going S.W.; wind light W. This was the only flock seen in autumn.

_Blackrock, Mayo._--Feb. 4th, flocks of "Puffins," going E., wind N., fresh, misty; 27th, "Puffins" about rock. March 9th, flocks, going S.E.; wind high, W. April 17th, flocks of Sea-parrots alighted on rock in great numbers. [In this and in other cases the name "Puffin" would seem to have been applied either to the Guillemot or Razorbill, and Sea-Parrot to the true Puffin.--R. M. B.]

_Straw Island._--April 19th, twenty Puffins; remained about lighthouse.

_Tearaght._--March 23rd, Sea-parrots arrived at 4 p.m., wind light, clear; 24th, great numbers came on island; 26th, Sea-parrots entirely disappeared until the 29th, when they returned; or perhaps they were new arrivals. They are as plentiful this year as last, and arrived one week earlier. [See general remarks under Clare Island.--R. M. B.] I found a nest with one egg on 11th May, and on 11th June it was hatched, the time occupied being one month. It is in the night-time all the young birds leave their holes and go to the sea, and once there they are no more to be seen. I never saw any of them on the wing or on the water. They never leave the holes until they take their departure, and then they go tumbling and rolling to the sea. There is no trace of this first stage of migration to be observed next morning, except sometimes in their outward course an odd one tumbles into our yards, where they are found. I was roused up one night at 2 a.m. by one trying to get up stairs; it was nearly at the top when I saw it. Puffins left in a great body on Aug. 1st; number on island diminishing until Aug. 15th, when the last was seen.

_Valencia._--April 10th, one taken alive.

_Skelligs._--March 20th, Puffins first seen on rock. Aug. 5th, Puffins getting scarce during past week; 15th, all have left. Nov. 27th, a few "Puffins," young birds. December, a few young "Puffins" seen.

Razorbill.

_Old Head, Kinsale._--April 20th, commence to build about this date.

_Dungarvan._--May 29th and 30th, a great number swimming into bay; first general appearance this season. July 4th, 20th, 25th, and 31st, numbers.

_Tuskar Rock._--July 24th, one young Razorbill; first this year.

_Rathlin Island._--April 6th, flocks resting on the sea. Aug. 22nd, Razorbills leaving island.

_Blackrock, Mayo._--April 30th, Razorbills all day; wind fresh, W.

_Clare Island._--March 21st, about fifty "Razorbill-puffins"; 25th, Puffins (Razorbills?) in large numbers.

_Tearaght._--March 23rd, Razorbills arrived. May 7th, came on island as plentiful as in previous years. About this date (July 31st) both old and young are mostly gone. During the past fortnight both old and young could be heard on the water at night. A few evenings ago I observed a young bird crying on the water; the old one was soon beside it, both going seaward, when the old bird made a little dive, and rose exactly under the young one, so that it was nicely poised on its back. In this way both headed the waves, and were lost in the distance. On the following evenings I kept a good look out, and saw several instances of the same kind; and on no occasion did I observe the young birds to fall off, though the sea was pretty rough. Last seen on Aug. 14th. Sept. 16th, two old and two young appeared, swimming S. Dec. 7th, young Razorbills; wind W.; very strong, high sea. As many as two or three hundred may be seen almost every day, especially in stormy weather. Having procured a specimen of the bird I called a "Mackerel-cock" (see fifth Report, pp. 89 and 128), I find it is the young Razorbill. [Specimen sent.--R. M. B.; shot, 13th, Jan., 1885.] It comes here every winter, and not a single old bird is to be found amongst them; nor one of them among the old birds in summer.

_Skelligs._--March 20th, Razorbills first seen on rock. July 20th, noticed young fledged Razorbills leaving rock. Aug. 5th, all left, with one or two exceptions. Nov. 27th, great numbers of the "Black-billed Auk"; noticed flights of them for the past fortnight, flying S., mostly in the afternoon. They left on 2nd March, 1885, except one or two, seen on 16th inst. They only come close to the rock in wild weather. In my former report I called this bird the Razorbill; but it answers the description of the Black-billed Auk, in the 'Dictionary of British Birds.' [Doubtless the young Razorbill, which was erroneously regarded as a species under the title of "Black-billed Auk" by Colonel Montagu.--R. M. B.] December, a great number of "Black-billed Auks" fishing.

Cormorant.

_Dungarvan._--July 31st, several.

_Coningbeg Light-ship._--Dec. 11th, ten. Barely seen here; 13th and 27th, one. Jan. 8th, 1885, two.

_Barrels Rock Light-ship._--Sept. 17th, seven.

_Tuskar Rock._--Aug. 21st, three; the first this season.

_Arklow West Light-ship._--May 24th, one Cormorant about ship.

_Copeland Island._--Jan. 20th, numbers of Cormorants. From September to April they are plentiful.

_South Maidens._--Sept. 6th, fifteen at noon, going S.W.; wind S.W., fresh. Oct. 17th, a great flock, going S. November, Cormorants seen daily.

_Rathlin Island._--Aug. 27th, five, going N.E.; wind S., light. Dec. 25th, six, going W.; 26th, two Green Cormorants on the rocks.

_Innishtrahull._--July 29th, two. They breed on a rock called "The Stook," near mainland.

_Tory Island._--Feb. 11th, one Cormorant, going N.E.

_Arranmore._--July 12th, two; remain here. Jan. 9th, four, going S.W.

_Rathlin O'Birne._--July, two to ten, always about island.

_Broadhaven._--Aug. 31st, Cormorants are here all the year round. Nov. 12th, about two dozen.

_Blackrock, Mayo._--May 9th, Cormorants all day; wind S., fresh.

_Eagle Island, East._--Oct. 20th, two, all day fishing around island.

_Blacksod._--Some Cormorants during October.

_Clare Island._--May 30th, observed a number of Cormorants. Sept. 1st, a number. They breed in holes in the cliffs.

_Arran Island, North._--Oct. 13th, five, going N.W.

_Straw Island._--Feb. 10th, four; very few this month. March 18th, six. April 11th, three. Oct. 30th, ten daily, fishing.

_Tearaght Rock._--Feb. 14th, six or seven round rock; seldom so many; one or two may be seen occasionally all the year. Sept. 4th, six, going W.; usual number on island, two.

_Valencia._--April 5th, 14th, 15th, May 10th, and June 15th, two to four. During Sept., Oct., Nov., and Dec, four or five at intervals.

_Dursey Island._--March 28th, eight. April 29th, two.

Gannet.

_Fastnet._--During last half of July a few Gannets morning and evening.

_Old Head, Kinsale._--April 10th, Gannets going S. May 10th, 20th, 28th, and June 26th, hundreds going S. Oct. 12th, five going S. Dec. 27th, three going S. Never saw less Gannets in autumn.

_Dungarvan._--April 7th, one; the only one seen for months. July 23rd, 27th, and Aug. 20th, one. Sept. 14th, a very dark "Solan Goose" (young).

_Coningbeg Light-ship._--Two to eight noted during April at intervals. Flocks on May 11th, 24th to 27th. On May 24th, one dark one. June 1st, five ditto. Great numbers in August. During September several daily going E. and W.; generally young birds. Flocks on Oct. 14th and 16th. Dec. 12th and 30th, several; and great flocks from 3rd to 8th Jan., 1885, about ship.

_Barrels Rock Light-ship._--Small flocks, Feb. 18th, 19th, March 21st. Large, April 17th. Flocks also on April 19th, 20th, 23rd, May 6th, 8th, and 23rd, generally going W. or S.W. Gannets noted in small numbers from Sept. 13th to Nov. 16th, in almost every instance going E., irrespective of wind or weather.

_Arklow South Light-ship._--April 15th to 25th, occasional Gannets going N.E. May 11th to July 18th, two to ten, and now and then a flock; direction of flight, N.E. or S.W. From the middle of July to Oct. 4th, a few Gannets at intervals, generally going S.W. On July 28th, flocks going N.E. Sept. 9th, flocks all day after fish.

_Arklow North Light-ship._--Gannets noted on Feb. 29th. March 15th, great quantities going N.E.; 16th, six; 17th, twelve; 21st, flocks; 23rd, ditto. A few on April 2nd, 8th, and 9th; great flocks on 11th, flying N. and S.; 15th, several; 29th, flocks; 30th, six. May 1st and 3rd, 8th, and June 20th, a few. Flocks on May 7th going N.W. Direction of flight in most of foregoing cases N. or N.E., apparently independent of the direction or force of wind. Oct. 5th, three going N.E.

_Kish Light-ship._--April 7th, flocks going S.W.; 21st, six going N.E. May 17th, great flocks going S.W.; 28th, four going S.W. June 7th, flocks going S.W.; 26th, three going S. Wind variable in direction and force.

_Howth Baily._--Aug. 19th, large numbers in bay after fry.

_Rockabill._--May 8th, Gannets all day.

_Copeland Island._--Jan. 20th, numbers of Gannets and Gulls feeding.

_South Maidens._--Gannets feeding in locality during August and September. Oct. 9th, Gannets feeding in vicinity during past few days (see also under General Remarks).

_Rathlin Island._--Flocks noted March 22nd, 26th, 30th, April 5th, May 5th; in every case going W. Wind variable in direction and force. Sept. 6th, Gannets all day going W.; wind light S.E.

_Innishtrahull._--March 28th, five Gannets; "the first this season." April 1st, several fishing all day. May 6th, three; 15th, Gannets about.

_Tory Island._--Feb. 5th, two going W.; 11th, two ditto; 19th, two about.

_Arranmore._--April 4th, flocks of four to six going N.

_Rathlin O'Birne._--Gannets always seen; two to one hundred.

_Broadhaven._--June 30th, a few Gannets going S.