IRISH COAST. 113 



were fortunately sent in the flesh — the former as a " small bird," 

 the latter as a " Twite." Particulars of the occurrence of each 

 is given in the body of the Eeport. The Greenland Falcon was 

 received from the Skelligs (Messrs James Walsh and Benjamin 

 Jeffers) — shot while eating a rabbit, September 28th. It has 

 not been noticed on the west coast by the light-keepers since 

 the winter of 1883-4. Probably Falco candicans loses its way 

 migrating, or in following the numerous flocks of sea-fowl on 

 their southerly journey from the arctic seas in the autumn. 

 The Falcon sent from the Skelligs was a magnificent old male 

 — legs yellow, and plumage unusually white. The Pied Fly- 

 catcher is reported to have been seen at the Fastnet on April 

 12th. Mr George Dunleavy says it was the same species as he 

 sent the leg and wing of in October 1886. The first Irish 

 specimen was killed April 18th, 1875, at Ballina (Zoologist, 

 1875, p. 4498), but other Irish records (see Eeport for 1886, p. 

 128) are autumnal. 



A Eedstart was received from the Fastnet, and the stations 

 from which the Black Eedstart is reported are more numerous 

 than any year so far ; these are authenticated by six specimens 

 received. The stations extend from Arklow S. light-ship round 

 the S. coast to Blackrock, Mayo. From the latter station no 

 specimen was received, but the description in the schedule 

 agrees with the Black Eedstart. None have yet been observed 

 at any light stations on the N". coast. 



The Sedge Warbler is killed striking more frequently than 

 any other Warbler; next comes the Whitethroat; but at the 

 N. and N.W. stations no Warblers strike — the S. and S.E. 

 coasts containing all the records. The legs and wings doubt- 

 fully referred to the Eeed Warbler last year have been re- 

 examined, and do not belong to that species. A Woodlark was 

 received in the flesh, shot on the Tearaght Eock by Mr Eyan 

 on October 20th, one of the last places in Ireland one would 

 expect to meet this bird, even when migrating. This Lark has 

 been seen so seldom in Ireland since Thompson's Natural 

 History was published, in which it is described as a " resident 

 but very local species," that some questioned its right to be 

 inserted in the Irish list, especially as no specimens were 

 produced. It has not been known to breed in Ireland. The 

 Snow Bunting, as is usual, occurs mainly on the N. and W. 



H 



