THE BIRDS OF THE MOY ESTUARY. 241 
but hearing the cry day after day without ceasing, I climbed up 
and found a fully fledged young bird fastened by the leg to the 
bottom of the nest, its little claws having become entangled in 
the wool used in its construction. This was so finely twisted round 
- the foot that before I could disentangle it I was obliged to bring 
it down from the tree. Last summer I found a young Spotted 
Flycatcher fastened to its nest in a similar way, but although quite 
fledged its wing-feathers had been so worn away by rubbing against 
the nest in its struggles to escape that it was quite unable to fly | 
when set free. 
Siskin, Carduelis spinus—Rate: I have only once met with it 
here, when I observed three birds (two females and a male) feeding 
on a ditch bank, along with some Goldfinches, in December, 1872. 
Lesser Redpoll, Linaria minor.—Rare, though resident in very 
limited numbers. One or two pairs have nests every season about 
the garden and plantations. I found a nest built in a larch tree 
about twelve feet from the ground, and also found young birds in 
the plantations when scarcely able to fly. 
Mountain Linnet, Linaria flavirostris)—The commonest of all 
the Linnets that frequent the district, and hundreds may be seen 
in winter feeding amongst the bent grass on the island of Bartragh, : 
where numbers also breed and rear their young in summer. 
Common Linnet, Linaria cannabina.—Common, but not to be 
seen in such numbers here as in the South of Ireland. 
Bulfinch, Pyrrhula vulgaris—Rare: I have only occasionally 
‘observed it during winter, and I do not remember ever seeing it in 
this district in the breeding season, although it may take up its 
abode wherever there are brakes of its favourite sloe or blackthorn. 
Starling, Stwrnus vulgaris. — Exceedingly numerous during 
winter, and a few pairs breed in the cliffs of Killcummin Head, 
Killala Bay. 
Chough, Pyrrhocorax graculus.—Scarce: a few pairs breed in 
the sea cliffs of Killcummin Head. 
Raven, Corvus corax.—Has become very scarce of late years, 
owing to the constant trapping and poisoning which is carried on. 
During the past five or six years I have only seen one solitary bird 
in the district. 
Gray Crow, Corvus cornix.— Rather common, but not so 
numerous as in the South of Ireland. A pair builds every season 
here in a grove near the shore. 
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