1 62 Guide to Belfast. 



are sometimes reinforced by winter immigrants, but not 

 regularly. The *Stock-Dove was first taken in Ireland in 

 1875 (Co. Down), and two years later bred near Comber, 

 in the same county. In 1889 eggs were taken near Antrim. 

 It has since been found breeding in the Mourne mountains 

 and Hillsborough Park in Down, and at Langford Lodge in 

 Antrim, and will doubtless be found elsewhere in the 

 district. The *Rock-Dove breeds in several places on marine 

 cliffs (e.g., Rathlin and near Ballycastle) ; and different 

 observers have reported it from the Mourne mountains, 

 whence " Pigeon Rock" gets its name. It has ceased 

 to breed at the Knockagh, above Carrickfergus. The 

 Turtle-Dove is a very rare summer visitor, and does not 

 seem to occur regularly. There are more records from 

 Down than from Antrim. 



Pterocletes. — Pallas's Sand-Grouse occurred in the 

 district during the celebrated visitation of 1888. We have 

 notes of nine birds from Killough, Copeland Islands, and 

 Kircubbin (Down), and Crumlin (Antrim). 



Gallinse. — The *Red Grouse is resident and fairly 

 common in both counties, even breeding close to 

 Belfast. [Various attempts to introduce Black Grouse into 

 Antrim and Down have been unsuccessful. See hish JVaf., 

 1899, p. 37.] The *Pheasant is common where preserved, 

 and in several demesnes very large numbers are reared. 

 It has even wandered to Rathlin more than once. The 

 *Partridge is now very scarce in the district, and rapidly 

 decreasing : chiefly, it seems, through poaching. Common 

 up to about i860, the *Quail then seemed to become 

 extinct here, and was practically unknown for over thirty 

 years ; but within the last ten years Quails have reappeared 

 in small numbers in both counties, and young were obtained. 

 John Brown informs me the call was heard near Annalong 

 in 1900. 



Grallse. — The *Corn-Crake is a very common summer 

 visitor, but it has several times been taken here in 

 mid-winter. The Spotted Crake is rare, having occurred 

 under a dozen times in autumn. The *Water-Rail is a fairly 

 common resident, even breeding on Rathlin ; its lurking 

 habits making it appear more rare than it really is. Both 



