100 Proccedinfjs. 



predominates. A Lesser Eedpole was nesting in a Fuchsia- 

 bush in a garden on Arran More. The Willows being late 

 this season, the usual down lining was eked out with fowl's 

 feathers. A Goldfinch nested in the same garden ; this 

 species is common wherever a few bushes invite it to breed. 

 A Blackbird was noticed in the same garden. 



On May 23rd the Tree Sparrow was met with among the 

 cabins on Arran More. This was unexpected ; we had looked 

 out for it at every cabin since leaving Strabane without 

 success, and had given it up. On two other occasions we 

 saw it at or near the same place ; it was apparently very 

 local, and we doubt if there was more than one pair. The 

 locality was a hill-side under cultivation, divided by stone 

 walls, and dotted with dilapidated cabins, with no trees or 

 bushes near. The House Sparrow was abundant on this 

 island and on the mainland. 



On May 31st a smgle Stonechat was seen on Arran More, 

 and several pairs of Starlings were breeding among a colony 

 of Rock Doves on the cliffs. We had seen no Starlings on 

 the mainland since leaving Strauorlar. The natives call 

 them Blackbirds. 



The lighthouse-keeper on Arran More showed us several 

 male Snow Buntings in nuptial plumage, shot and stuffed by 

 himself ; one was killed about the middle of April ; also a 

 Pomarine Skua, killed late in ]\Iay. No birds seem to strike 

 this light. Barnacle Geese follow this coast on migration, 

 and rest awhile on the outlying rocks, on one of which we 

 found a dead bird of this species. 



No Eagles breed on the island now ; both they and the 

 Eavens were exterminated by poison some years smce. A 

 Peregrine or two frequented the cliffs, and, during our stay, 

 visited the adjacent islands daily, carrying off on one occasion 

 a chicken in each foot : even the Herring Gulls stood in awe 

 of the female, uttering shrill cries as she approached. The 

 Eock Dove is the Pigeon of this district, building in large 

 numbers in the sea-caves of Arran ^lore, but going miles 

 inland in parties of ten to twenty for food. No other species 

 was noticed. 



