BIRDS AND LIGHTHOUSES. 281 



at the Old Head of Kinsale, says that when in 

 charge at the Tuscar, he once got eight hundred 

 birds in a night, consisting of Woodcock, Land and 

 Water Rails, Snipe, Plover, Starlings, and Black- 

 birds ; the great majority being composed of the 

 two last species. Williams, now at Copeland Island 

 light, tells me that he was also at the Tuscar, and 

 that the Little Bittern in his possession was shot 

 by him on this rock. 



Brilliant Light Ship, Blackwater Bank. 



The lightkeeper here, P. Cooney, like most other 

 lightkeepers of the east coast, reports that Black- 

 birds, Thrushes, and Starlings are the chief suf- 

 ferers from the light ; but that Duck and Teal now 

 and then fall on deck much damaged, by striking 

 the lantern above. He adds that about the end of 

 March large bodies of Swallows pass the ship 

 coming from the direction of Wales, and shaping 

 their course towards Ireland ; he again remarks 

 them as they return about September ist. 



Aranmore Lighthouse, co. Donegal. 



Woodcock strike this lantern in October and 

 March, four to six being the most ever obtained in 

 a night. They are rare, and never seen by day, 

 in this locality. Snipe are to be found in great 

 numbers on the marshy parts of the island. They 

 strike the glass generally with southerly winds, 

 on wet drizzling nights. Two large hampers, the 



