l6o juiy, 



THE WHITE WAGTAIL IN KILEALA BAY. 



BY ROBERT WARREN. 



Ornithologists may be interested in hearing that Motacilla 

 aidahas visited Bartragh Island again this season on its spring 

 migration, being probably delayed on its northern journey 

 by the prevalence of the northerly and north-easterly winds 

 blowing so strongly during the end of April and beginning of 

 May. 



I heard from Captain Kirkwood, of Bartragh, that he 

 observed several birds near the garden and wet flats (a 

 favourite haunt) on the 8th, 9th, loth, and nth of Ma3^ On 

 the last-named date he observed three birds, but all had dis- 

 appeared on the 12th. This last occurrence, I think, ma}^ 

 establish the fact of a regular line of migration every spring 

 on the Island of Bartragh, for it is the //?/? year's record of 

 their regular visits since 1898, viz. : — 



1898. 



On the 29th of April the late Mr. A. C. Kirkwood met five 

 birds in an oat-field, and obtained other specimens. On the 

 loth of May he observed a flock of fifteen birds, and shot a 

 pair. This flock only remained part of the day, when they 

 disappeared ; but two or three days after were succeeded b}- a 

 flock of five birds, some of which lingered on about the island 

 until the 26th. 



1899. 



2 1st April. — One bird was seen about the stable-yard, 

 only remaining the one day. 



4th May. — Another was seen feeding about a manure 

 heap, also in the yard. 



1900. 



23rd April. — One seen in the garden. Mr. A. C. Kirk- 

 wood, being very unwell, was unable to keep up his observa- 

 tions that spring, which accounts for only one being noted. 



