76 REPORT ON THE MIGRATION OF BIRDS. 



General Remarks of Light-Keepers. 



Galley Head. — " Spring : There is a total absence of land- 

 birds at this station. Autumn : Sea-birds passing are, I may 

 say, the only birds to be seen. The Curlew and ' Small Black 

 Crow ' are here all the year round." — John Whelan. 



Old Heady Kinsale. — ''Spring: No migration of birds ob- 

 served this spring." — George Dunleavy. 



Dungarvan. — " Autumn : With very rare exceptions no birds 

 strike this lantern." — William Higginbotham. 



Coningheg Light-ship. — "Autumn: Very few birds killed 

 against lantern since the light was changed from steady to 

 flash light."— Patrick Cullen. 



Barrels Rock Light-ship. — " Autumn : This is a very quick 

 red light, flashing 30'' ; no birds ever struck the lantern. I 

 believe the quick revolution frightens them away, as in fog and 

 thick weather no birds ever stay about the light like the ships 

 that have the bright light." — Michael Doyle. 



Tuskar Rock. — " Spring : Not many birds this spring : a good 

 deal more last year. Autumn : The ' Black Diver ' leaves about 

 May 1st, and returns in October." — Richard Hamilton. 



Kish Bank Light-ship. — "Autumn : Very few birds pass this 

 station. Birds seldom strike our lantern, as it is a revolving 

 light. September and October are the chief months for the 

 migration of birds from the Welsh coast. "^—William Daly. 



Howth Baily. — "Autumn: Sea Gulls and Cormorants all 

 through the winter. Puffins disappeared about middle of 

 December." — William Dunne. 



Copeland Island. — "Autumn: Large numbers of birds resort 

 to this island and Mew Island during the winter months, and 

 generally leave early in March. The species seen daily are as 

 follows: — Oystercatchers, about 50; Wild Duck, 10 to 40; 

 Sandpipers, 20; Cormorants, 8 to 10; Starlings, 20 to 40; 

 Blackbirds, 4 to 6 ; ' Grey ' Plover, 2 to 20 ; Curlew, 10 to 100 in 

 each flock." — John Walsh. 



South Maidens. — " I saw no birds strike the lantern since I 

 came to this station." — Patrick Keenan. 



Rathlin. — " Spring : The Ducks are breeding on every little 

 pond and moss on the island ; the ' Shell Duck ' breeds here. 



