THE BIRDS OF THE ISLAND OF TIREE 77 



is a regular visitor on passage about the end of April and during 

 May, but I have seen very few on the return passage in autumn. 

 They seem to take some other route on their way south. 



Chiff-chaff {Phylloscopus rufus). The Chiff-chaff has occurred 

 here, but only once or twice to my knowledge. 



Hedge-sparrow {Accentor /nodularis). I have only seen one 

 Hedge-sparrow here, and that was a good many years ago. The 

 bird was disabled from some cause or other, and I tried to procure 

 it, but failed. 



Wren {Troglodytes parvulus). Among the first of the winter 

 visitors to arrive, and fairly numerous all winter in suitable localities, 

 where there are dykes and old walls. I have seen an odd Wren 

 here in summer, but I do not think they breed here. They leave 

 about March and beginning of April. 



Pied Wagtail {Motacilla lugubris). This bird is very rare 

 here, and I have only seen one. It was observed in my garden 

 in the month of March 1897. 



White Wagtail {Motacilla alba). Very regular visitors on 

 migration, both on their way north in April and the beginning of 

 May, and on their way south in the end of August and beginning 

 of September. A great many pass here, but in very small 

 parties of from three to six birds, seldom more together. When 

 on their way north they frequent the fields, which are newly sown 

 and harrowed at that time, and on their way south they keep along 

 the sea-shore. 



Yellow Wagtail {Motacilla rait). I see an odd Yellow 

 Wagtail nearly every year, sometimes in spring and oftener during 

 the autumn migration. They are rather rare, and only single birds 

 occur, and these seem to have lost their way. 



Meadow-pipit {Anthus pratensis). The Meadow-pipit is 

 resident throughout the year, is very abundant, and breeds all 

 over the island. In recent years I have observed a strong migration 

 of these birds passing south in the month of October. They travel 

 along in regular regiments of often more than a hundred birds, 

 while others are coming on behind, all about the same distance 

 from each other. I notice very few going north during the spring 



migration. 



Rock-pipit {Anthus obscurus). This bird is resident, and breeds 

 all round the coast of the island. It does not collect in flocks at 

 any time of year, but is sparsely scattered all round the coast. Of 

 course they must migrate to some extent, but I have never noticed 

 any difference in their numbers here at any season of the year. 



