Clare Island Survey — Aves. 20 39 



brings great flocks, which continue more or less until they leave in April 

 for the great rushy bogs where they breed. Warren has found the 

 winter flocks have increased enormously in north Mayo. Curlews stray 

 to all the island-rocks in winter, and dense packs roost securely on 

 certain flat islands, as on one in Achill Sound. Barrington gives 

 statistics which go to prove that the Curlew, unlike the Whimbrel, 

 chiefly passes up the east coast during the spring migration, whereas in 

 autumn it is recorded more frequently from the west. 



Numenius phaeopus (Linn.). Whimbrel. — Appears on Clare Island about 

 26th April and leaves by 1st June (M'Cabe). During May it is 

 numerous on the west coast, which it prefers on migration, also using 

 the routes of the great Connaught lakes and of the Shannon. A few 

 Whimbrels usually reappear in August on their return, but Williams 

 and Patten heard the note on Achill Sound on 7th July. 



Hydrochelidon nigra (Linn.). Black Tern. — An immature bird was shot by 

 Sheridan on Achill, September, 1887, 1 others by Warren on Killala 

 Bay, 12th October, 1859 ; and there have been similar cases near 

 Ballyshannon and on the north Kerry coast, but this species is very 

 rare in the west. 



Sterna cantiaca, J. F. Gmel. Sandwich Tern. — Warren discovered a colony 

 many years ago on an island in Rathroeen Lake, near Ballina, which 

 is strictly protected. Of late years other colonies have been established 

 elsewhere in Mayo, but change their nesting-ground occasionally. 



Sterna dougalli, Mont. Roseate Tern. — A specimen was obtained on Clew 

 Bay, 3rd August, 1904. This bird has been rarely met with in Ireland 

 during the last fifty years. 



Sterna fluviatilis, Naum. Common Tern. — Nests in small numbers on islets 

 up Clew Bay, on the Inch near Killala, and on Deer Island, Connemara, 

 but prefers lake-islands, as on Lough Carrowmore in Lrris, Loughs Conn, 

 Mask, and Comb, and resorts far less to exposed marine situations than 

 the Arctic Tern. Both species are to be seen in late summer on Achill 

 Sound, and between that and Clare Island ; but this Tern is scarce along 

 our west coast as compared to the next species. 



Sterna macrura, Naum. Arctic Tern. — A small colony breed on the detached, 

 rocky western end of Clare Island, and a few on Clew Bay ; while all 



1 Mole's List of Irish BirJs. 



