1897.] USSHER. — Distribution of Birds Breeding in Ireland. 69 



The Marsh- Harrier, formerly widespread, has been exter- 

 minated in most of its old haunts. Lord Castletown is the 

 only proprietor I know of who extends protection to it, in his 

 extensive marshes in the Queen's County. 



The Spotted Crake is only recorded to have bred in one 

 instance, in Roscommon, before 1853, when Col. Irwin found 

 the eggs, presented by him to the Dublin Museum. But 

 there is reason to suppose that it has bred in the other 

 counties indicated. 



The Dunlin has a wide range in the breeding season, and 

 has been found nesting on elevated mountains as well as on 

 low-lying lake-shores in the centre of Ireland, and marshes 

 near the sea. 



The Ringed Plover and Common Tern both breed on sea- 

 coasts and islands as well as on islands and shores of many 

 inland lakes. 



The Red-throated Diver has been found breeding in one 

 mountainous district full of moorland lakes in Donegal, but 

 the persistent taking of its eggs must soon drive it from this 

 haunt, if that has not been already done. 



The distribution of the Mute Swan is in part of an artificial 

 character, though on several large lakes there are practically 

 wild flocks which receive no care. 



The Shoveller and Tufted Duck are two species which are 

 extending their breeding-range, that of the Shoveller em- 

 bracing eastern and southern counties where the Tufted 

 Duck is not known to breed. .._ 



The Pintail, Wigeon, and Pochard are three species re- 

 specting whose breeding in Ireland we want much more 

 definite information. I have myself only met with the Wigeon 

 in one or two instances in the breeding season, and have never 

 seen the nest or young of any of the three. Still it is impos- 

 sible to overlook the many statements that have been made of 

 their having bred. 



The Red-breasted Merganser, after the Mallard and Teal, is 



the commonest breeding duck in Ireland. 



A3 



