74 REPORT ON THE MIGRATION OF BIRDS. 



Ireland lies comparatively out of the track of migrants, and its 

 western stations are especially poor. 



The Tuskar Rock, on the Wexford coast, is certainly the best 

 station. Large numbers of migrants strike the lantern there, 

 and many are killed. Being the nearest land to the Welsh 

 coast, and the extreme south-eastern point of Ireland, the 

 Tuskar is well situated for observation. 



A Snowy Owl was shot on the Island of Innishtrahull, off the 

 coast of Donegal, and forwarded by the light-keeper there to the 

 Museum of Science and Art, Keldare Street, Dublin. 



Observations on Gulls and Gannets are numerous, and it is 

 difficult to estimate their value, as some light-keepers have given 

 them much attention, while others have scarcely noticed these 

 species owing to their frequent occurrence. 



The presence of the Gannet all round the coast during the 

 breeding season would seem to show that a large proportion do 

 not breed. The little Skellig Rock, off the Kerry coast, is the 

 only Irish breeding-place of the Gannet ; and when visited in 

 1880, by Mr. Barrington, there were scarcely thirty pairs 

 breeding. 



In the returns many entries occur which probably do not 

 refer to migrating birds, but it has been thought prudent not to 

 omit any from the printed report. 



It is remarked by some light-keepers that more birds strike 

 fixed than revolving or flash lights. 



Attention is called to the great scarcity of Starlings in 1882 

 in several schedules. 



Conclusions are premature for a year or two, and it is as well 

 to let the observations of the light-keepers speak for themselves. 



Great results are not anticipated from this enquiry, but few 

 satisfactory ones will be forthcoming unless it be continued ; it 

 is therefore essential that the light-keepers should assist us for 

 some years longer, and we trust they will do so. 



To Captain Boxer, R.N., Inspector of Irish Lights, we are 

 again indebted for friendly aid; as well ae to the Commissioners 

 of Irish Lights, who were good enough to take forty copies of 

 last year's report, and distribute them to the various observers. 



Alexander G. More. 

 Richard M. Barrington. 



