IRISH COAST. 89 



Blacksod. — " I have carefully looked out for birds, and seen 

 none worth entering. I have seen several seals." — Kobert W. 

 Kedmond. 



Clare Island, — " In February very few birds are seen at this 

 station. No birds strike this lantern. A great number of seals 

 frequent this place in caves round the cliffs." — George H. 

 Brownell. 



Slyne Head, North. — *' Spring : I beg to remark that at all 

 times sea birds are to be seen on this coast, their numbers being 

 chiefly regulated by the feeding for them." — Kobert Tyrrell. 



Arran Island, North. — "During the months of January and 

 February no birds are seen except a few Sea-pies and Sand- 

 larks. It must be in consequence of the very wild and stormy 

 weather." — Thomas Fortune. 



Straw Island. — " Spring : The different species of sea fowl 

 are very scarce this season. I believe from the want of small 

 fry. None breed on this island, it being low and flat. 

 Autumn : Birds scarcely ever strike the lantern in consequence 

 of the light appearing in a different direction to the general 

 flight of birds, being also a red light. It is 26 feet above high 

 water, and ten miles from land. I have remarked a greater 

 number of Blackbirds and Starlings this winter than since the 

 great frost of 1880. On Oct. 28th a flock of Wild Duck alighted, 

 apparently much exhausted, and remained a few hours, and went 

 S.E., towards land." — Charles Boyle. 



Tearaght. — July 30th. " The following birds are still on the 

 island, viz., Guillemots, Sea Parrots, Kittiwakes, Grey Crows, 

 Sea-pies, Kazorbills, Manx Shearwater, Stonechats, and, I think. 

 Choughs and Falcons (Blue Hawks). All these breed on the 

 island. Dec. 18th, birds remaining: Grey Linnets, Kock 

 Pigeon, Thrushes, Mackerel Cock (on water). Blackbirds. 

 Kesidents, Titlarks and Common Wren. The ' Mackerel Cock ' 

 is about the size of a Eazorbill, but it is not the Kazorbill. 

 Thousands of them are round the rock now. Feb. 2nd, 1884." 

 (See under Manx Shearwater). 



Dursey Island. — ''The Gannet breed on the Bull Eock, 



several hundred. On the Cow Eock, distant three-quarters of a 



mile from the Bull, a few also breed. I believe the Gannet did 



not breed on the Bull until after the Skellig light was erected." 



[This was in 1826. B. M, B.]— Michael Shea. " Very few birds 



N 



