112 EEPORT ON THE MIGRATION OF BIRDS. 



IEISH COAST. 



The Keport for 1887 on the Irish coast is satisfactory. The 

 schedules number seventy-five, from thirty-one stations. As a 

 rule they never were better or more carefully filled, and the 

 number of legs and wings and specimens is almost 150. In 

 addition to the schedules, many letters have been received, 

 either inquiring the names of species or remarking on the special 

 movements of birds. This shows that the Irish light-keepers 

 display an intelligent and increasing interest in birds, and are 

 quite as anxious and as willing as their English and Scottish 

 brethren to further the objects of this inquiry. It is a difficult 

 task to select from so many observers any special names ; but 

 the schedules from the Fastnet, Tuskar, and Coningbeg Light- 

 ship, and the number of specimens accompanying them, deserve 

 to be gratefully recorded. Messrs George Dunleavy, Patrick 

 Cullen, W. Clydesdale, Peter Page, Edward M'Kenna, J. 

 M. Leary, and P. Corish were the contributors. Some light- 

 keepers are more fortunately situated than others, and the 

 excellence of a schedule is to some extent dependent on locality. 

 At the same time at a bad station a watchful observer can 

 often supply notes which enable us to comprehend more 

 clearly the range over which the movements of certain species 

 extend. 



At all times it has been a matter for regret that the identifica- 

 tion of birds by the light-keepers was not more accurate. Even 

 trained ornithologists might readily err in distinguishing species 

 flying past or around the lanterns, and it cajrnot be too strongly 

 impressed on the light-keepers that it is of vital importance to 

 send a leg and wing of at least one specimen of every species 

 killed striking. Uncommon birds should be forwarded in the 

 flesh. 



As to rarities, 1887 stands ahead of any other year on the 

 Irish coast. Two birds have been added to the Irish list — the 

 Eed-breasted Flycatcher (Mr Alfred B. Wall and Patrick 

 Clancy), and the Lapland Bunting (Mr George Dunleavy). Both 



