BIRDS OBSERVED AT BALBRIGGAN. 175 



About six miles at sea is the rocky island of Bockabill, 

 lat. 53° 35' 47", long. 6° 0' 20", exhibiting a flashing light at a 

 height of 148 ft. above high water, visible eighteen miles. A few 

 miles further south is the large island of Lambay ; this island 

 has lately been purchased by Hon. Mr. Baring, who will strictly 

 preserve all bird-life there ; so that probably there will be a 

 return of many rare birds which formerly bred there. Indeed, 

 I am informed that for the first time for years past the Common 

 Tern bred there in 1904. 



Both of these islands are in the track of migrants coming up 

 the channel, and observations taken from them will prove very 

 interesting. 



Mr. Barrington, in his great work on the ' Migration of 

 Birds,' records a good many reports from the lightkeepers at 

 Bockabill. The most noteworthy of these seem to be the follow- 

 ing, which do not occur on the mainland here : — Common Bed- 

 start, Whinchat, Snow-Bunting, Water-Bail, Grey Phalarope, 

 Jack-Snipe. 



As I have only been resident here for two years, I have, how- 

 ever, much to learn as regards migration and the occurrence of 

 rare birds in this neighbourhood. The following are those which 

 have occurred in my experience in 1903-04 : — 



1903. 



Feb. 7th. — A Black Bedstart (female) in the harbour, perching 

 on the timber cut down for exportation. This bird remained for 

 about three weeks, in company with Sparrows, &c. 



May Znd. — Heard a Grasshopper- Warbler at 7.30 p.m. near 

 Fancourt. Never heard or saw one since. 



Sept. 4th.— A White Wagtail at the Delvin Biver. Mth. A 

 Hoopoe, Upupa epops (male), shot at Lowtherstone by Mr. G. W. 

 Norman. This bird was preserved by Mr. A. Bohu, naturalist. 



1904. 



April 12th. — Saw a pair of Bay's Wagtails land on the rocks 

 off Fancourt. These birds were not seen here after that day, but 

 on Oct. 31st, Bev. P. C. Hayes, Bector of Baheny, about eighteen 

 miles distant, sent me an immature Bay's Wagtail which he 

 found dead in the bath-room at the rectory. 



Nov. 11th. — Black Bedstart (male), in good plumage, was seen 



