A L ist of Irish Birds. 581 



Elanus c&ruleus (Desf.) Black-winged Kite. 



Has occurred once on the bog" of Horsestown in the county Meath 

 (Ibis, 1872, p. 471, Zoologist, 1875, p. 4455), and is now in the 

 possession of Sir John Dillon, at Lismullen. 



*Buteo vulgaris (Leach.) Common Buzzard. 



Decreasing, and now become very rare, if not extinct, as a breeding 

 species. Thompson mentions four counties as breeding -places, 

 viz. Donegal, Deny, Antrim, and Down. It occasionally 

 occurs as a migrant in spring and autumn. 



Buteo lagopus (Gmel.) Rough-legged Buzzard. 



Very rare visitor in late autumn. Only seven or eight times noticed 

 in Ireland. One was shot in 1867 at Slyne Head, Galway, by 

 the lighthouse -keeper, Mr. Redmond, as I learn from my friend, 

 Mr. R. J. Ussher. One was trapped at Horn Head, Donegal, 

 Nov. 26, 1891 (Irish Sportsman, Dec. 19.) 



Pernis apivoms (Linn.) Honey Buzzard. 



Very rare visitor in summer and autumn. Two specimens are in 

 the Museum, of which the first was obtained in Kildare in 1882, 

 and the second in Wexford in July, 1890. Another shot 

 in the latter county in October, 1892 (Zoologist, 1892, p. 428.) 



*Circus aeruginosus (Linn.) Marsh Harrier. 



Resident, but has now become scarce and local. Still breeds in 

 some of the bogs, especially in the midland counties, and 

 along the shores of the Shannon. Is often called " Kite." 



*Circns cyaneus (Linn.) Hen Harrier. 



Resident, now become rare, but breeds on the moors and mountains 

 in various parts of the country. Like the last, is called " Kite." 



Circus cineraceus (Mont.) Montagu's Harrier. 



Very rare visitor in autumn. Has occurred four times in Ireland, 

 viz. : At Bray, Oct., 1848. (Thompson, Vol. i., p. 427.) At 

 the Scalp, Oct. i, 1849. (Thompson, Vol. ii., p. 8.) Again 

 in 1877, at the Scalp. (Mr. E. Williams.} The last speci- 

 men is in the possession of Major Barton, at Straffan. A fourth 

 obtained in Wexford, May 14, 1890 (Zoologist, 1890, p. 275), is 

 in the Museum. f 



STRIGID^E. 



*Asio Otus (Linn.) Long-eared Owl. 



Resident and frequent throughout the country. 



Asio accipitrinus (Pallas). Short-eared Owl. 

 Regular visitor in winter. 



f A fifth was shot at Glenasmole, co. Dublin, July 3, 1893 (/*&A Naturalist, 

 3, P- 253). 



