^irds observed Breeding on the Coasts of Sligo and Mayo. 203 



more prolonged visit to this district in 1893, and take more 

 time to explore the range of cliffs as far as Portacloy. 



So, on the 23rd of May, in company of my friend Mr. H. 

 Scroope, junr., I set out on my second visit to the North Mayo 

 coast, with the intention of walking along the cliffs from 

 Belderig to Porturlin, and thence to Portacloy, and if the 

 weather permitted to explore the sea side of the cliffs from 

 the water. During our drive from Ballycastle to Belderig we 

 found the Herring Gulls and Green Cormorants breeding 

 here and there along the line of cliffs, and in consequence of 

 being so thinly scattered not appearing numerous anywhere 

 after passing Keadue. 



On reaching Belderig at three o'clock, it being too late in the 

 day to go on to Porturlin, we walked from the harbour along 

 the cliffs to the first headland (Benwecruagh) and Horse 

 Island, where the old disused copper mine is situated ; the 

 island is a mere mass of rock, about half an acre in extent, 

 probably a hundred feet in height from the water, and joined 

 to the mainland by a ridge or causeway formed by the fallen 

 debris from the cliff, just above the highest spring tides. On 

 the flat summit of the island Oyster- catchers bred, and we 

 found their eggs in a depression in the rock, resting on a few 

 small stones for a lining to the nest. Oyster- catchers breed 

 all along the coast, on the small island rocks, and on the 

 bare summit of the cliffs in many places. In a hole of the 

 cliff in the south-west side a pair of Choughs had a nest, and 

 not far from it a pair of Black Guillemots had a nest also, 

 while another pair were in the water at the base. I was sur- 

 prised to see the Black Guillemots breeding so high, at least 

 ninety feet above the water. A pair of Grey Crows haunted 

 the cliffs also, and we were told these birds bred in many places 

 along the cliffs of that part of the coast. Guillemots and 

 Razorbills also had nests on the headland and inside the 

 entrance of some large caves at the base. 



Next morning we set out on our seven miles' walk over the 

 cliffs to Porturlin, and when crossing the river that flows just 

 below the village of Belderig, we were surprised at hearing a 

 Whinchat singing, and shortly after saw him on a furze-bush on 

 a bank, but although we searched carefully for the nest were 

 unsuccessful, although we were certain it was near, for the 

 bird was always near the same part of the little field. We were 



A 4 



