IRISH COAST. 83 



be fine and bright. Whenever a bu'd has been killed striking, it 

 is so stated, and not left to be understood. 



The bulk of the migrants appear to arrive on our south 

 eastern coast, except such birds as the Barnacle Goose and Snow 

 Bunting, which are mainly recorded from the north western 

 stations, being rarely entered in the schedules from the east or 

 south coasts. 



An interesting feature this year is the occurrence of several 

 examples of the Greenland Falcon on the west coast. 



The winter of 1883-4 was exceptionally mild, and the entries 

 due to local migration from frost and hard weather are probably 

 few. 



Many entries no doubt refer to birds not migrating at all, 

 but none have been omitted, as it is difficult to know where to 

 draw the line. It is desirable, however, that the light-keepers 

 should state whether the bird is believed to be migrating or 

 merely moving about the district from local causes. 



In the schedules for next year a special column for the direction 

 of flight has been added. This we think quite as important 

 as the direction of the wind. Birds seem rarely to fly directly 

 with the wind. Attention is drawn to this point in order to 

 have it confirmed or otherwise. 



In order to diminish the errors in the identification of species 

 the light-keepers have been instructed to forward, when possible, 

 a leg and wing of every bird about which they are doubtful, and 

 we trust they will do so. 



Some entries seem very improbable, and others are isolated 

 and apparently valueless. When records accumulate, both may 

 prove useful. 



In addition to the little Skellig Kock — off the coast of Kerry 

 — the Gannet also breeds on the Bull Eock fifteen miles further 

 south, and a few are also reported as breeding in the Cow Eock 

 quite close to it. 



No matter what results are arrived at from this enquiry, it 

 is satisfactory to be in correspondence with a number of observers 

 on isolated points all around the coast. 



The information supplied, if corroborated during several years 

 by different light-keepers, cannot but be valuable, and we wish to 

 impress on them the necessity of continuing to assist in this 

 investigation. 



