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CHAPTER XV. 



Birds and Lighthouses The Skelligs Copeland Island Tuscar 

 Rock Brilliant Light-Ship, Blackwater Bank Aranmore Tory 

 Island Howth Old Head of Kinsale Carlingford Dundalk 

 The Blasquets. 



THE lighthouses on the coast of Ireland, and 

 particularly those to the east, are admirably situated 

 for observing the migration and habits of birds, 

 more especially sea- fowl. Not a few of them are so 

 placed that access to the shore is sometimes cut off 

 for days and even weeks. The men in charge are, 

 as a rule, most intelligent, and by reason of their 

 position have the best of opportunities for adding 

 to our store of knowledge concerning birds and fish. 

 Many study, more or less practically, in their leisure 

 hours, the natural history of their surroundings. In 

 the long dreary winter evenings some few even pre- 

 serve specimens ; others read, and learn all they can 

 about the habits of their companions in solitude 

 the birds. During the breeding season, when most 

 interesting, they are a constant amusement by day 

 to such lone dwellers. Those who have free access 

 to books and papers can form no idea with what 

 avidity they are perused by men living on almost 

 inaccessible rocks and islands, when the lantern is 

 aflame in the afternoon, the day scarce half spent, 

 and along dark night to look forward to. Anyone 



