202 The Irish Na/uralist, October, 



Monday^ Scptcvibcr ^^^rd* — At lo o'clock in the morning I 

 started for Dugort alone. I journeyed on foot with a view 

 of noting what birds might be seen when crossing the island. 

 M}' observations Avere practically the same as those made 

 on the previous occasion when we drove to Dugort. A 

 Kestrel again showed itself, this time sitting on an old gate- 

 post, and a few Lapwings crossed the bogs. It was my in- 

 tention to return to the Sound the same day, but the kind 

 hospitality offered me by Mr. and Mrs. Sheridan induced me 

 to remain on. 



Tuesday^ September 2t\lh. — I joined Mr. Sheridan's party on 

 the long car. We drove westward, passing through the 

 villages of Keel and Dooagh. At the latter we were assailed 

 by children selling Achill amethysts. Proceeding half a mile 

 or so further, we alighted and lunched. We made the rest of 

 the expedition towards Achill Head on foot, some of the party 

 taking ponies. Mr. Sheridan remained behind at Dooagh, 

 having entrusted us to a native guide who told us many a 

 good stor3^ Enquiring of him if he had seen Eagles, he in- 

 formed me that he remembered when he had seen them by 

 the hundreds round Achill Head ! ! During our ascent we came 

 upon an amethyst quarry lately worked ; here we collected 

 several specimens of ameth3^sts in the rough. Our guide 

 showed us a piece of rock full of these crystals which he kept 

 hidden under a stone in a stream. It was for sale to anyone 

 who would bid 55. for it, but we had collected so many stones 

 that we felt we could not oblige the old gentleman by taking 

 it. 



Bird-life was not prolific ; a Kestrel, sitting on a rock far 

 down the heather-clad cliff, viewed with the naked eye 

 appeared as small as a Sparrow. With the powerful prism- 

 binocular it appeared as large as ever, and the plumage- 

 markings were readily seen. Shags and Gulls were fishing in 

 the waters below, while a flock of fifty Choughs (according to 

 Mr. Sheridan, an unusually large number to see together at 

 Achill) alighted and commenced to feed in a field on the brow 

 of the cliff above us Having reached Keem Strand, we 

 retraced our steps, and joining the long car, drove back 

 and had tea in the village of Dooagh ; thence we returned 

 to the hotel in the evening. 



