The Birds of the Midland Lakes aiid Bogs. 233 



marine species, are given at greater length, as being frequenters 

 of the lakes, whether in summer or winter, and among them 

 we may chiefly add to our list of the breeding birds of this 

 region. The Geese and Swans also deserve a mention. 



I am largely indebted to the help and hospitality of those 

 gentlemen wdio have promoted my researches, and contributed 

 their own information. 



The Merlin, not confined to the mountains, is resident in 

 small numbers on the great red bogs of the central plain. Its 

 eggs have been obtained in Westmeath, King's Co., and 

 Queen's Co. in such situations, and it is reported to breed in 

 eastern Galway. 



The Marsh Harrikr, previous to about 1840, was a common 

 resident on Lough Erne. Its nests were found on waste 

 ground about the lake. Since then it has been practically ex- 

 terminated by game-keepers, and so reduced in its haunts in 

 Westmeath and King's Co., as to be quite a rare, or at least, a 

 scarce bird there now. The only occasion in which I met 

 with it was on the 14th April, 1893, when I visited the ex- 

 tensive marshes of lyord Castletown, near Granston Manor, in 

 Queen's Co. These cover more than eight hundred statute 

 acres, and are a paradise for ducks. Lapwings, Redshanks, 

 Coots, and Gulls. High over these marshes I saw sweeping 

 in curves, three Marsh Harriers, two together, and a third 

 apart. After two or three flaps, they would sail round, hold- 

 ing the wings slanting upwards. In wind, however, they are 

 seen flying low, almost beating the tops of the flags with 

 their wings in quest of their prey. As they are seen there at 

 all seasons, they must breed. On the extensive red bogs in 

 the east of King's Co., Mr. Digby used to see Marsh Harriers 

 at all seasons until 1889, and has heard of the nest being 

 found, and some have since been seen by keepers. Lough 

 Iron, in Westmeath, was a favourite resort, where man}^ have 

 been shot, from time to time. A pair usuall}^ appear there 

 about August, but they do not remain. Co. Gahvay was 

 another stronghold of the Marsh Harrier. It has been re- 

 ported to me, apparently as a straggler, from Derrycarne, 

 Co. Leitrim, on the Shannon ; from bogs near Lough Annagh, 

 King's and Queen's Counties ; from Co. Tipperary ; and from 

 the Shannon near Banagher, where my informant has ob- 



