1909- Patten. — Onnihology of Skerries, Co. Dublin. 199 



Despite the slow and awkward attitude assumed, it was re- 

 markable what a number of insects were consumed. The 

 white birds were thrown out in bold relief against the dark cliff, 

 and so thickly were they massed that at a distance the}^ re- 

 minded one of a snow shower. Now and again the insects 

 were snapped off blades of grass and blackberry bushes. I may 

 remark that I have seen a Kestrel hovering within a foot of the 

 same bushes, and as I doubt that the minute flies which the 

 Gulls captured were taken, it is probable that the Hawk picked 

 off the spiders which in numbers had spread their nets on the 

 bush. Proceeding, we passed " Long-Leg," entering the corn- 

 fields half a mile further on. Here we remained some time 

 looking for Wood-Pigeons. Having crept over to the edge of 

 the low cliff we watched numbers of Herring Gulls pass us on 

 almost motionless wings. Suddenly, however, the cries of 

 Curlews, Redshanks, Lapwings, Gulls, and other birds attracted 

 our attention. The noise proceeeded from " Long-Leg," where 

 we beheld a great disturbance. The Redshanks were speeding 

 off over the water ; Lapwings were making for the higher 

 regions of the atmosphere with all haste. The majorit}' of 

 Curlews made off; those which attempted to return took fright 

 anew and hurried away with double haste. In short, the reef 

 became desolate of bird-life in a very few seconds. Not 

 altogether desolate, however, for after carefull}' scanning it 

 with our orlasses we detected the dark form of a bird standing- 

 upright on a rock. Had we not a powerful binocular at our 

 disposal I doubt if, at such a distance, we would have made 

 this discovery, for to the naked e}^ the bird might well have 

 passed for one of the hundreds of loosely-scattered and super- 

 posed boulders which characterise the structure of the reef. 

 But there he was, and with our glasses we proved him to be a 

 Peregrine, whose sudden advent had struck such terror into the 

 occupants of the spot he now chose to monopolise. For several 

 minutes we enjoyed the treat with which we were presented. 

 The falcon kept motionless, save for an occasional slight turn 

 of the head, but his bold, piercing black eyes seemed to tell us 

 that if in his swoop to the reef he had missed his quarr3% his 

 chance again was near at hand to enter an unwar}' flock, single 

 out his victim, and bring it to earth with unerring aim. Here 

 an amusing incident occurred : two Cormorants were winging 



