20 "26 Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy. 



rocks, on many of which it breeds. It frequently uses the deserted 

 nest of the Hooded Crow, both in cliff's and lake islands. Ussher has seen 

 such a nest in Donegal built in a holly, not more than 5 or 6 feet from 

 the ground. 



On Clare Island Kestrels nest both in the sea-cliff's and on the 

 mountain rocks ; and Praeger observed the Kestrel and Chough nesting 

 in proximity in the same cliff. This bird is called " Sparrow-Hawk "' 

 generally in Ireland. 



Phalacrocorax carbo (Linn.'). Cormorant. — A few have been seen at Clare 

 Island in spring, summer, and autumn, usually flying past, but were not 

 found breeding. This is a common resident bird, seen on Achill Sound, 

 Louisburgh, and throughout Clew Bay ; but it does not seem to love the 

 outer line of cliffs and islands, such as the north Mayo coast, where its 

 place is taken by the Shag. Cormorants have indeed colonies near the 

 Campbell at Horn Head, and towards Hag's Head, Cliff's of Moher; but, 

 unlike the Shag, they avail themselves of islands in lakes, and nest on 

 ivy-covered castles as on Loughs Corrib, Mask, and Carra, in trees and 

 bushes on Loughs Tawnyard and Carrowmore, sometimes with Herons ; 

 not far from Westport they bred in a lake on the ground among rocks. 

 They also use islands in lakes as roosting-plaees. 



Phalacrocorax graculus (Linn.). Shag. —Resident and abundant on Clare 

 Island, where numbers of this species nest in cavities of the western cliffs 

 and other places. "West of the lighthouse a large colony breed up to at 

 least 200 feet above the sea, along broken scarps interspersed with large 

 stones, ami in more open places than is usual with this cave-loving bird. 

 Patten found nine nests built on 25th March, yet some were feeding- 

 young on 8th July. They breed on Achdl, Duvillaun, The Bills, and 

 along the most lofty cliff-bound coasts of Donegal, Mayo, and Kerry. 

 The light, agile Shag is quite at home where tremendous seas break, 

 and loves exposed coasts, but is seldom seen far up Clew Bay. and never 

 inland, unless when storm-driven. Large nocks of Shags were met with 

 swimming together at Inishbofin and Broadhaven ; and Warren noted an 

 * immense congregation of them at the mouth of the Moy in December 

 and January. 



Sula bassana ( Linn. . Ganxet. —Commonly to be seen fishing at sea round 

 Clare Island, as well as all along the west coast, occasionally in Clew 

 Bay. Most frequent in summer and autumn: but from January to April. 

 a great northward movement of Gannets is observed along the whole 

 coast. In autumn there is little evidence of a return migration 



