ON BIRDS OBSERVED IN THE ISLAND OF TIREE 159 



COMMON SNIPE, Gallinago ctxlestis. A numerous resident species, 

 breeding on all suitable parts of the island. Migratory Snipe 

 begin to arrive in September, and continue off and on all 

 winter, if the weather is favourable. 



JACK SNIPE, Gallinago gallinula, A regular autumn and winter 

 visitor, arriving as early as the latter end of September in 

 considerable numbers. It prefers mossy bogs to muddy 

 places. 



DUNLIN, Tringa alpina. Resident, and breeds all over the island. 

 Only a few remain all winter. It breeds on rough boggy 

 ground, and feeds on the sandy ebb. 



LITTLE STINT, Tringa minuta. Occurs occasionally on migration. 

 I have seen as many as twenty in a flock, but they do not occur 

 every year. 



PURPLE SANDPIPER, Tringa striata. A regular winter and spring 

 visitor, but is most numerous in spring. It frequents the rocky 

 parts of the coast. 



KNOT, Tringa canutus, A regular autumn and spring visitor, but 

 is most numerous in autumn. I have seen them here as early 

 as August. They frequent the sandy shores. 



SANDERLING, Calidris arenaria. Sanderlings are numerous here 

 during autumn, winter, and spring ; and, like the Knot, frequent 

 the sandy shore. 



RUFF, Machetes pugnax. An occasional autumn visitor. I have 

 not noticed it in spring. It frequents and wades in shallow 

 pools. 



COMMON SANDPIPER, Totamts hypoleucus. A regular summer visitor 

 in small numbers. It breeds and feeds about the margins of 

 lakes and shallow pools. 



REDSHANK, Totanus calidris. The Redshank stays with us during 

 the autumn, winter, and spring. 



GREENSHANK, Totanus canescens. Common during autumn, winter, 

 and spring. A pair bred here a few years ago, but I have not 

 noticed them breeding since. It frequents shallow pools, both 

 salt and fresh. 



BAR-TAILED GODWIT, Limosa lapponica. Common, arriving in 

 autumn and leaving in late spring. Frequents the sandy shores. 



BLACK-TAILED GODWIT, Limosa belgica. Rather rare. I shot one 

 several years ago in spring, and I have seen a few single birds 

 since always in spring. It has a peculiar, wild, eerie cry, which 

 is unlike that of any other bird I know. 



