THE BIRDS OF DONGAL. 301 



found Mistle Thrushes' nests in strange places, as on the ground 

 in shelter of a rock, on the top of an espalier by a frequented 

 garden-path, and in a pear tree against a garden- wall. In the 

 latter position it was destroyed by the gardener, but the birds 

 rebuilt their nest in the same spot, with the addition of a piece 

 of muslin, as if to direct attention to it. The second brood was 

 unmolested. Another nest, placed in a tree, was destroyed by 

 Rooks as fast as it was built, and finally the Thrushes gave it up 

 in despair (A. B.). These birds appear to me to be more 

 abundant in Ireland than they were ten to twenty years ago — and 

 more audacious. Thompson states that the first Mistle Thrush's 

 nest known in the North of Ireland was found in 1808. 



*Song Thrush, T. musicus, Linn. — Common in the breeding 

 season, but deserts us at Carrablagh when this is over. 



Redwing, T. iliacus, Linn. — Never an abundant winter visitor, 

 except perhaps in a hard season. 



*Blackbird, T. merula, Linn. — Common, and abundant 

 throughout the year. " A pair brought out two broods in 

 succession in the same nest, in a holly-bush in my garden, the 

 year before last" (A. B.). 



*Ring Ouzel, T. torquatus, Linn. — These birds breed in 

 scattered localities in lonely mountain glens throughout the 

 county. By no means rare. In this district they breed at 

 Knockalla, Glenalla, Auchterlinn, and Lough Salt, &c. In 

 September and October they appear in small flocks, usually less than 

 a dozen, and frequent rocky places about the mountain tops before 

 leaving for the winter. " Very common during the breeding season 

 in all the mountains of S.W. Donegal" (A. B.). 



Fieldfare, T. pilaris, Linn. — Apparently a commoner winter 

 visitor to Carrablagh than the Redwing. In 1890 one was seen 

 as early as October 13th. 



*Hedge sparrow, Accentor modularis, Linn. — Not unfrequent 

 throughout the year, but much commoner in summer. 



* Redbreast, Ei'ythacus rubecula, Linn. — The commonest 

 resident, one season with another, at Carrablagh. 



Black Redstart, Ruticilla titys, Scopoli. — In 1881 one was 

 seen at Greencastle, Innishowen, by the same observer who 

 obtained the Greenland Falcon above mentioned. 



*Stonechat, Saxicola rubicola, Linn. — Frequent. Small 

 numbers remain through the winter. 



