THE BIRDS OF LAMBAY ISLAND. 159 



Wren, Troglodytes parvula, Koch. — Frequent. 



Pied Wagtail, Motacilla lugubris, Temm. — Formerly not 

 infrequent, but scarce since the hard winter. A pair reared a 

 brood in 1882. 



Meadow Pipit, Anthus pratensis, Linn. — Common. 



Rock Pipit, A. obscurus, Lath. — A few pairs breed. 



Bunting, Emberiza miliaria, Linn. — One pair at least bred in 

 1882, at the south-western corner of the island. The species is 

 frequent on the neighbouring mainland. 



Yellowhammer, E. citrinella, Linn. — Breeds sparingly ; more 

 numerous before the hard winter. 



Chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs, Linn. — A few breed about the 

 castle. 



Greenfinch, Coccothraustes chloris, Linn. — -Several breed 

 about the castle. 



Linnet, Linota cannabina, Linn. — Not uncommon ; large 

 flocks visit the island ; with them are also hen Chaffinches and 

 Sparrows. 



Twite, L.flavirostris, Linn. — I saw a pair of these birds in 

 September, 1881. 



Sparrow, Passer montanus, Linn. — Frequent, but chiefly 

 observed as an autumn visitor. 



Starling, Sturims vulgar is, Linn. — Flocks arrive in September. 

 Some breed on the cliffs at the north-west corner of the island. 



Raven, Coitus corax, Linn. — The Raven breeds annually at 

 Lambay. Although laying five or six eggs it frequently rears 

 only two or three young ones. On September 9th, 1881, I was 

 staying at Lambay, and had seen the parent birds the two previous 

 days. On this day two young made their appearance, and for 

 the chief part of that day the island resounded with croakings, 

 screamings, and the din of war. Wherever the young set foot 

 the old birds flew past, buffeting them with their wings and 

 pursuing them in the air. They continued thus to harass them 

 until the unfortunate progeny left the island, when peace was 

 restored. This expulsion of the young occurs annually, but the 

 latter are seldom, as in this case, foolhardy enough to return. 

 Last year I watched a similar proceeding on one of the Twelve 

 Bens in Connemara, where the mountain was evidently not 

 considered wide enough for more than a pair. Occasionally 

 Ravens have bred at Ireland's Eye, near Lambay. In September, 



