134 BRITISH BIRDS. [vol. xm 



for a second or two, he brought his feet and the prey forward, 

 and bending his head down gave the latter a nip behind the 

 head, which fell limply dead when he let go of it. He then 

 flew off to the rocks at Pen Cristin. The whole action was 

 clearly visible through the glasses. 



The Merlin (Falco columbarius cesalon). 



Not recorded either by Mr. Aplin or by Mr. Coward. On 

 June I2th, 1913, a male flew past me high overhead, near 

 the top of the north face. It was, no doubt, a visitor from the 

 mainland (there was a brood of young in an old Crow's nest 

 on the west side of Aberdaron Bay). 



One or more were seen almost daily in September, three 

 being present on the 3rd. The abundant Meadow-Pipits 

 and Linnets afforded them plenty of food. 



The Kestrel {Falco t. tinnunculus). 



Apparently an occasional visitor only. Single birds were 

 seen both by Mr. Aplin and Mr. Coward. On June 15th, 

 1913, a single female was flying over the south-western slope 

 of the mountain, and from time to time perching on the 

 outcropping rocks. No evidence of nesting was obtained. 



In September one was seen daily from the 3rd to the 12th, 

 and again on the 19th. 



The Common Heron {Ardea cinerea). 



Not recorded in spring or summer. 



In September 1913 Herons were met with occasionally 

 on the coastal rocks at low tide or on the reef oft the west 

 bay. The largest number seen was five on the 5th. 



Ducks. 



There are three records from the light of ducks (species 

 undetermined) in good numbers, on November I3th'i4th, 

 1909, March I4th/i5th and October 2ist/22nd, 1912. On 

 November 25th/26th, 1910, many Teal {Anas c. crecca) were 

 at the lantern, and one was killed. The lightkeepers told 

 us that they occasionally see a few ducks on the island in 

 late autumn. 



{To he continued.) 



" 



