ON BIRDS OBSERVED IN THE ISLAND OF TIREE 155 



CORN BUNTING, Einberiza miliaria. Common, and resident. 

 Breeds near the cornfields, and is only to be found where the 

 ground is cultivated. 



YELLOW BUNTING, Emberiza citrinella. - - An occasional winter 

 visitor in small numbers. It frequents the stackyards. 



SNOW BUNTING, Plectrophanes nivalis. A regular visitor on migra- 

 tion, appearing now and again in small flocks from October till 

 the latter end of March. 



STARLING, Stiirmis vulgaris. A superabundant resident. It has 

 become a great nuisance through its habit of nesting in the 

 chimneys. These birds feed in winter on grubs, which they find 

 among the seaweed spread by the farmers on their fields. 



CHOUGH, Pyrrhocorax graculus. I have only seen one bird of this 

 species here. 



JACKDAW, Corvus monedula. It has occurred, but it is rare here. 



RAVEN, Corvus corax. One pair is resident, and breeds every year 

 on the cliffs at Kennavara Head. These birds do not seem 

 to increase, although they are not molested in any way. 



CARRION CROW, Corvus corone. It has occurred, but is very rare. 



HOODED CROW, Corvus cornix. Common enough. Breeds on the 

 cliffs on different parts of the island. 



ROOK, Corvus frugilegus. An occasional spring visitor in small 

 numbers. 



SKYLARK, Alauda arvensis. An abundant resident. Breeds all 

 over the island. 



SWIFT, Cypselus apus. An occasional summer visitor, and is always 

 seen singly. 



CUCKOO, Cuculus canorus. Occurs sparingly every summer. 



SHORT-EARED OWL, Asia accipitrinus. Common on autumn and 

 spring migrations. Frequents rushy fields and reedy bogs. 



PEREGRINE FALCON, Falco peregrinus. One pair breeds on the 

 cliffs at Kennavara every year. They do not increase, although 

 they are not molested in any way. I suppose the young birds 

 leave every year. 



MERLIN, Falco cesalon. Very numerous, especially during autumn, 

 when they follow the flocks of migratory birds, such as Field- 

 fares, Golden Plover, Snipe, etc., and take heavy toll of them. 

 A pair bred here in the summer of 1897. 



KESTREL, Falco tinnunculus. Occurs now and again, but as there 

 are neither voles nor mice here they do not stay long. A pair 

 nested in 1896 on the cliff at Kennavaw. 



