September, 1909. The Irish Naturalist. 185 



THH ORNITHOLOGY OF SKERRIES, CO. DUBLIN. 



BY PROFESSOR C. J. PATTEN, M.A., :\r.D., vSCD. 



In selecting Skerries last vSeptember as a holiday resort I 

 had the good fortune to have, as my next door neighbour, 

 Mr. Edgar Wilkins, whose knowledge of the birds of the 

 locality is extensive and accurate, a knowledge acquired during 

 man}' annual visits. We had many delightful rambles to- 

 gether, and I am much indebted to Mr. Wilkins for several 

 interesting notes, and for the long list of birds with which 

 he has furnished me, and which I append at the end of 

 this paper. I am especially glad to have the opportunity of 

 publishing this list, which incorporates so many land-birds, 

 as my observations were chiefly confined to the birds of the 

 coast. As the first week of my time was largel}^ taken up in 

 attending the meetings of the BritivSh A.s.sociation in Dublin, a 

 daily journal was not commenced until September gth, from 

 which date until the end of my holiday it was kept regularly. 

 Opportunity, however, was afforded of making some notes 

 three days earlier, and with a good beginning, for I had the 

 pleasure of the company of Me.s.srs. Robert Patterson and 

 Nevin Foster. 



Sunday, September 6th. — In charming summer weather we 

 started in the afternoon for a ramble along the coast hoping 

 to reach Balbriggan. But our attention was so long con- 

 centrated on the birds on the reef of rocks known as " the 

 Long-Leg" that time did not permit of our proceeding further. 

 It was high tide, and as part of the reef was covered and the 

 rest converted into an island, we were prevented from going 

 on to it. We, therefore, decided to watch the birds from the low 

 grass-covered cliff — a comfortable and an excellent observa- 

 tor}'. Even before using our binoculars the melodious piping 

 which fell on our ears with wonderful distinctness in Ihe 

 calm, sunny evening told us how pregnant with bird-life was 

 this rocky resting place. From their voices alone we learned 

 of the presence of great flocks of Curlews,' while the constant 

 cries of Lapwings, Redshank.s, and Ringed Plovers told us 



^So thickly studded were the rocks with Curlews that the birds were 

 coustantly fi«htiu.tj for perch i 11, i,^ room. 



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