Bird Life and Sport on Achill Island. ]43 



gun a Mallard rose, and I brought it down with one shot. 

 Returning to the Bull's Mouth we noled that it was a habita- 

 tion beloved b\- the sea-birds. fiundreds of (kills -Herring, 

 Black-backed, Common, Black-headed, and Kittiwakes, could 

 be seen as they floated and wheeled in the air. I could hear 

 the deep notes o.f a Heron in the distance, while a number 

 of Oyster-catchers could be seen, their plumage and \'ermilion 

 legs making them very conspicuous. 



After crossing to Inishbiggle in a boat we walked 

 to the far end of that island where we found another channel 

 separating us from a third island. This was our final destina- 

 tion. W'c piled up some loose stones to act as a shelter, sat 

 down behind it, and waited for the birds to pass up and 

 down the chaimel as was their wont, from one feeding ground 

 to another, as the places were uncovered by the tide. The 

 first visitors were little Dunlins, which came by with great 

 speed. Then the larger and slower flying of Bar-tailed God- 

 wits followed. Odd Oyster Catchers continually flew up and 

 down, squeaking noisily, evidently indignant at our intrusion. 

 Close to us were two Turnstones, very prettily marked, busily 

 engaged in a Imnt for food. They ran here and there on 

 their little short legs, dashing on to the spot momentarily left 

 bare b\- a receding wave, made a quick jab into the sand 

 with their bills and scurried back in retreat before thc> water 

 flowed in again. Jn the Channel itself was a large bird of 

 sombre hue. There was no difficulty in recognizing this as a 

 Cormorant. i'hese birds swim very low in the water, and 

 appear to keep only their heads and necks unsubmerged. 

 Many of these Cormorants passed us during the morning, and 

 so did that other splendid diver, — the Red-throated Diver. 

 The Cormorants usually floated down treating us with perfect 

 unconcern, but the Divers were shyer, and dived before they 

 got level with us, not re-appearing until they were some way 

 down the Channel. It is marvellous what long distances these 

 birds can travel under water. It is small wonder that they 

 are able to catch a great number of lisl;. 



A beautiful bird is the Coldcn Tio\er. We were 

 fortunate enough to see a small flock of ilieni during the 

 luurning. After passuig us the\ scaled tor a short linic on 



