IRISH COAST. 127 



The greatest immigration of Thrushes occurred between the 

 14th and 20th of October; Starlings, 18th to 20th October, and the 

 first fortnight in November ; Blackbirds, October 24th ; Swallows, 

 about the 12th May. Whimbrel were more plentiful than usual 

 at our southern stations when going north in the spring. 



The migration of the Starling is perhaps more evident than 

 that of any other bird ; they strike in the greatest numbers. 

 Woodcocks, on the other hand, usually strike singly ; it is 

 a rare occurrence to have more than one killed on the same 

 night. Very few birds of any kind strike the lights on the west 

 coast of Ireland. 



Sea-birds scarcely ever strike the lanterns. The instances 

 are so few of birds striking on clear nights, that they do not 

 number half a dozen per annum. 



Some evidence has been given that the Wren is resident on 

 the Tearaght, Skelligs, and Eagle Islands, all three very bare and 

 isolated rocks on the west coast ; but the specimens received 

 differ in no respect from the Common Wren of the mainland. 

 The Hedgesparrow was also received from the Tearaght, and 

 several are stated to have remained there during last winter. 



An interesting observation was made by Mr. McCarron, of the 

 Tearaght, who watched an old Eazorbill dive beneath its young 

 one and rise exactly underneath it. The young one was thus 

 raised on the back of the old bird, which carried it in this 

 position over the waves in a rough sea. This occurrence was 

 witnessed several times. 



The transfer of the light-keepers from one station to another 

 is unavoidable, and changes are made by the Commissioners 

 every year. There are instances in which one might imagine 

 that the birds had followed the migration of a particular light- 

 keeper, if he has been a more careful observer than his pre- 

 decessor at that station. 



We trust the efforts made to enable the birds to be identified 

 will succeed in time ; the various kinds of Gulls are much con- 

 fused, and the Puffin, Eazorbill, and Guillemot are constantly 

 doing duty for each other. Kedwings, Thrushes, and Fieldfares 

 are not always distinguished ; while Larks, Linnets, and Finches 

 are perhaps too closely associated in the minds of some light- 

 keepers. By the production of specimens in future, we trust that 

 some of these difficulties will be removed. 



