176 The Irish Na tu ra list. 



Inch, but not enough to account for a tithe of the large numbers which 

 collect there during the winter months. A flock of some thousands 

 may frequently be seen on the inland water, and large flocks also con- 

 gregate on the sea. Although most reluctant to fly, the Coot is 

 strong on the wing. 



Larus marinus, Linn.— Great Bi.ack-backed Gui^i,. — All the more com- 

 mon Gulls are plentiful at Inch during the winter. It is a most favour- 

 able station for observing the habits of the Great Black-backed. Five 

 or six of these powerful birds are usually flying round Inch on the 

 look-out for any unfortunate Duck or Wigeon which may have been 

 winged by the punt-gunners or flight-shooters. I have never seen 

 them attack an un wounded bird, but the terror which the presence of 

 one of them inspires, even in a large flock of Brent Geese, is most re- 

 markable. A wounded bird rarely escapes them, as no matter how per- 

 sistently it may dive, they are always ready to swoop down on it the 

 moment it shows on the surface. After a time the bird becomes too 

 exhausted to dive without a short rest, and is then killed by a single 

 blow on the head from the Gull's beak. I have seen them attempt to 

 take fish from both the Cormorant and the Great Northern Diver, but 

 both of these are too expert divers to be easily robbed. As a rule, the 

 Great Black-back reigns undisputed tyrant on the water at Inch. The 

 only exception to this rule I have observed, came under my notice in 

 January, 1891. A Peregrine was perched on a heap of stones near the 

 water's edge evidently meditating a dash at a flock of Green Plovers on 

 a mud bank. A Black-back was beating over the water on the look-out 

 for wounded duck, and as soon as he swooped over the plovers, they 

 scattered in every direction. The Peregrine, I suppose, deeming this 

 an unfair interference with his sport, and thinking that the rule — 

 "Hawks dinna pick out hawk's een," might for once be disregarded, 

 rose perpendicularly in the air, and struck at the Gull. The astonish- 

 ment and rage of the latter were extreme, and he had barely time to 

 wheel round to present his beak to his assailant. The falcon swerved 

 from the shock, but a second and third time struck at the gull, which 

 I expected to see killed. He was always, however, able to present *his 

 beak to his foe, who seemed to recognise clearly that impact on this 

 meant death, and swerved before collision. The contest ended in a 

 drawn battle, as the Gull's attempt to assume the offensive were futile. 



Colymbus glacialis, Linn. — GrkaT Northern Diver. — During the 

 winter three or four pairs will always be found fishing in the sea near 

 Inch. A favourite resort for a pair is the bay at the south side of the 

 island. These birds go in pairs, and when a pair select a fishing-ground, 

 they keep possession of it. If one of them be shot, by the next day a 

 pair will be found in occupation. Probably the survivor of the original 

 pair has been driven away by the joint efforts of his supplanters. Like 

 most of the Divers, this bird rarely flies, though when it does fly, it is 

 strong on the wing. I have occasionally seen a solitary bird in summer. 



C. septentrionalis, Linn. — Red-Throated Diver. — During the winter a 

 few of these birds are always fishing in the sea near the Inch embank- 

 ments. Unlike the Northern Diver, they do not fish in pairs. They 

 are more disposed to fly than the Northern Diver, and I have shot them 

 when flight-shooting. 



C. arcticus, Linn. — Bi,ack-Throated Diver. — A specimen of this rare 

 diver was secured on the south side of Inch on November ytli, 1892, by 

 my friend Rev. Prof Henr}', who has had it preserved. 



Fodicipes fluviatilis, Tunstall. — Dab-chick. — Plentiful on the inland 

 water at Inch. 



P. auritus, Linn.— Si^avonian or Dusky Grebe.— Not very plentiful. 

 Kvery winter, however, and during the entire winter, one or two may 

 be seen fishing in the bay on the south side of Inch. 



A number of birds make a short stay at Inch during the 

 autumn, but do not winter with us. Among these may be 



