THE BIRDS OF LAMBAY ISLAND. 161 



and it is not unlikely that they occasionally visit Lambay for 

 the same purpose. 



Wood Pigeon, Columba palumbus, Linn. — Is frequent in 

 autumn and spring, but I have no evidence of its breeding on 

 the island. 



Rock Pigeon, C. livia, Temm. — Formerly bred on Howth and 

 Lambay, but no longer a resident. I have only seen Rock 

 Pigeons once on Lambay, namely, in September, 1881, in Saltpan 

 Bay, where I saw six together ; they did not, however, return to 

 breed in 1882. Four were seen (and I believe shot) on Howth 

 in the spring of 1880. From the Saltees and Hook Head west- 

 ward the Rock Pigeon becomes frequent. From Lambay to the 

 Saltees there is hardly any suitable head-quarters for rock-birds 

 till we round the south-western corner at Carnsore. 



Lapwing, Vanellus cristatus, Meyer. — Two or three pairs were 

 breeding in May, 1882, as they do annually. They are known as 

 the " Phillipene." 



Oystercatcher, Hcematopus ostralegus, Linn. — I have seen 

 these birds on Lambay several times during the breeding season, 

 and am assured they have nests there, but I have not succeeded 

 in finding them. 



Corn Crake, Crex pratensis, Bechst. — Heard at the end of 

 May, 1882, and was informed that it breeds annually on the 

 island. 



Puffin, Fratercula arctica, Linn. — Breeds in some numbers, 

 perhaps thirty or forty pairs, chiefly on the east side of the island. 

 The single egg is usually laid in a hole a foot or two from the 

 surface on steep banks above the rocky part of the coast, but 

 I have sometimes found it at the entrance. They arrive at the 

 end of April, commence to lay in the second or third week of 

 June, and leave the island about the first week of August. A pair 

 or two breed on Irelands Eye. The largest colony of Puffins 

 I know is that on Saltee Island, Co. Wexford. 



Razorbill, Alca torcla, Linn. — Is much more numerous than 

 the last species, and lays about a fortnight earlier. It breeds 

 on all sides of the island, except the western, but chiefly abounds 

 on the eastern cliffs. These birds choose ledges of rock for 

 their eggs, usually higher up than the Guillemot, but both may 

 often be seen together. Next to the Kittiwake this is perhaps 

 the commonest bird on the Lambay cliffs. 



M 



