480 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
frequently thought it must be a wounded bird which could not fly. 
During winter very large flocks may be seen, after the ebb has 
set.in, flying about on the North Bull, at Malahide, Donabate, 
and, at. low water, passing the Pigeon-House Fort. These birds 
are among the first to leave in spring ; the large flocks have mostly , 
disappeared before the end of March. 
TurnstonE.—Numerous in autumn and late spring. It is 
nowhere abundant; but on Ireland’s Eye, in September and 
October, I have met with it in larger flocks than anywhere else. 
OysTERCATCHER —Large flocks may. be seen in winter and 
spring near the Pigeon-House Fort and on the North Bull. 
I have seen them about Ireland's Eye, Lambay, and Howth in 
spring and summer, so I suspect that a few breed there. 
Grey PuarAropr.—lI shot one on the North Bull on the 9th 
September, 1879—the only one, I believe, obtained in the neigh- 
bourhood for many years. 
SaANDERLING.—Passes regularly twice a year, about September 
and May. They remain, on their passage north, until most of 
them have assumed their breeding plumage, when they congregate 
in very large flocks. In autumn they are more numerous, but in 
smaller parties. 
Grey Prover.—A regular autumnal visitor, but: most of them 
pass on before winter, the few that remain disappearing very early 
in spring. As Ihave never met with any on their way baal to 
the north, I fancy they must take some other route. 
GoLDEN Prover.—Most plentiful late in autumn and early 
winter, except in mild winters, when they remain. Their numbers 
increase again in February, and in the Wicklow mountains I have 
found very large flocks in March and April; in the latter: month 
all with the breast partially black, and usually tame. I have heard 
their note and seen odd ones later on, when they must have soa 
breeding. 
GREEN Piover, or PeEEwrr.—Breeds abundantly in parts. of! 
Wicklow, and a few in County Dublin. ; 
Rivcep Prover.—I have found the eggs of this bird on the 
North Bull, on the Velvet Strand, Portmarnock, at Malahide, the 
Pigeon-House Fort, and other places. It breeds all along the 
coast, but nowhere very plentifully, ‘The nests are always difficult | 
to find. 
Water Rart.— This I consider a scarce bird, having met 
"OO ee 
