THE BIRDS OF DONEGAL. 335 



*Meadow Pipit, Anthus pratensis, Linn. — Common in summer. 

 Remains in reduced numbers in winter. 



*Rock Pipit, A, obscurus, Latham. — Common along the coast, 

 breeding in many places : a decreased number remains the winter. 

 " Breeds in great numbers on Innisduff Island" (A.. B.). 



*Siskin, Chrysomitris spinus, Linn. — " I have seen this" bird at 

 Lough Eske in the spring time, but do not know if it nests there 

 or not, though from the time I saw it (April, I think) I imagined 

 it did" (A. B.). Miss Hill, of Ballyare House, Ramelton, writes : — 

 " I have both seen and heard Siskins here, and I have seen the 

 nest of one in the wood near Rathmullan, between Ray bridge 

 and that place; the young birds were reared in it. That was 

 several years ago, and was the only nest I have seen, and too 

 high for me to examine it. I am sure they must breed here, 

 otherwise they would not come in spring and summer. Last 

 summer I heard their note nearly every day, and in winter they 

 were often seen in flocks." Dr. Patterson, of Ramelton, shot a 

 Siskin in June this year (1891). 



*Sky Lark, Alauda arvensis, Linn. — Common in summer; 

 also met with in winter in my neighbourhood. - 



Snow Bunting, Emberiza nivalis, Linn. — Annual winter 

 visitant about Killybegs, on the west coast of Donegal. Snow 

 Buntings visit Aranmore, Rathlin O'Beirne, and Innistrahull 

 islands in considerable numbers annually, varying with the 

 severity of the season. They are to be met with from September 

 to April (Report on Migr. of Birds on Irish Coast, 1883, &c). 

 They also come in small numbers to Fanet lighthouse. 



*Common Bunting, E. miliaria, Linn. — Not unfrequent in the 

 roughly cultivated bare districts in Donegal. Several pairs breed 

 annually in my neighbourhood, and some remain throughout the 

 winter, if not all. I saw three or four in January, 1891, near 

 Carrablagh. 



*Yellow Bunting, E. citrinella, Linn. — Common in summer, 

 but scatters far through the county in winter. It is one of our 

 most characteristic species in the breeding season at Fanet, which 

 is well suited to its habits. 



*Reed Bunting, E. schoeniclus, Linn. — Breeds and resides in 

 suitable places, as at Kindrum, Lough Fern, lakes near Rath- 

 mullan, &c. Common also about Killybegs ; less common in 

 winter, but often met with when snipe-shooting. .. 



