THE ISLE OF USHANT, ETC. 321 



in ''female" plumage. This species has no place in Mr 

 Cecil Smith's book. 



HiRUNDO RUSTIC A, Szvallow. 



Ushant. — Is a summer visitor, in limited numbers, 

 to the island, and had not departed at the date of 

 our exit. 



CoTiLK RiPARiA, Sand-Martifi. 



Alderney. — Not uncommon during the last week of 

 September. Mr Cecil Smith regards this species as a 

 spring visitor, not remaining to breed. 



Alcedo ispida, Kingfisher. 



Ushant. — ^This bird was surprisingly abundant all 

 round the rocky coasts of the island, and appeared to be 

 quite at home at the base of the highest cliffs, or on 

 the margins of the surf-washed creeks. No doubt the 

 extraordinary abundance of small fish and the crystal 

 clearness of the sea were the attractions which had 

 induced more than fifty of these birds to seek these 

 singular island haunts. The great majority of the birds 

 noted were adults, and were chiefly observed in pairs. 

 These facts might lead one to consider that the King- 

 fisher was a resident species, breeding in more or less 

 suitable places in the cliffs. This surely cannot be the 

 case ? It seems more probable that the bird is an autumn 

 and winter visitor to Ushant. It was also numerous on 

 the coast at Le Conquet. 



Alderney. — Not uncommon on the coast. 



Circus cyaneus. Hen- Harrier. 



Ushant. — From 9th to 14th September, we saw a 

 " Ring-tailed " Hen- Harrier daily. It chiefly frequented 

 the cliffs, from which it occasionally made foraging 

 excursions inland. 



II. X 



