66 



Numerous sea-birds are to be seen in the bays, and following 

 the plough inland, but few seem to breed here, except the crested 

 cormorant, or shag, and the herring-gull. Many species of ducks 

 and geese visit the Island during the winter, of these the 

 commonest is the brent goose. The stone chat is common along 

 the shore and in the inland pastures during the winter. Of rare 

 birds on record are the golden eagle, white-tailed eagle, osprey, 

 spoonbill, wild swan, the avocet, the bittern, the great bustard, 

 the bee-eater, and the Bohemian wax-wing. There seems no 

 doubt that these islands are on a line of migration from the 

 Continent to England and the North. 



Amphibia are represented in Jersey by the Frog and Toad, 

 the latter attaining an enormous size and being locally known 

 as the " Jersey Cropper." 



The following Reptiles are found : — The sand lizard (Lacerta 

 agilis) ; the green lizard, abundant, beautiful and variable ; and 

 the ringed snake. As in Ireland, no venomous reptile is found. 

 The smooth newt and palmated newt are both found in Jersey. 



Fishes. — There is an extraordinary variety of fishes found in 

 the seas surrounding the Channel Islands. Few of the Northern 

 British species are absent, and there are a great number of repre- 

 sentatives from the Mediterranean. 



Unfortunately, their variety and beauty are in inverse ratio 

 to their economic value. The list is formidable, but no fleets of 

 fishing-boats are seen, only a few straggling open craft, which 

 make a precarious living inshore. There is practically no export 

 trade in fish, and not even enough is caught locally to supply the 

 inhabitants. Indeed, quantities of fish are imported from Ply- 

 mouth and London. 



The most abundant local fish are: Conger, red and grey 

 mullet, basse, bream, rock fish, gurnards, and dog-fish, and the 

 sand-eel. 



Of rare fish, the following have been taken : The Torpedo-ray, 

 the angel fish, the sturgeon, the sun fish, the angler, and the 

 gorgeous Scicena aquila, a fish clad in gilded and coloured scales, 

 the size of half-crowns. The Lancelet (Amphioxus lanceolatus), 

 the lowest of vertebrate animals, is by no means rare. 



The fresh water fishes consist only of the eel, stickle-back, 

 and loach, the streams being too small and easily dried up in 

 a hot summer for larger fish to live. In certain ponds carp, tench, 

 and trout have been introduced. 



Considering the size of the Island, there is quite a wealth 

 of Insect life. Lepidoptera include about 600 species, among 

 which are such varieties as the Queen of Spain Fritillary, the 

 Glanville Fritillary, the Comma, the Bath White, and the Long- 

 tailed blue. Among moths, the fine Death's Head and 

 Convolvulus Hawk moths are fairly common, and the well-known 

 Callimorpha Hera, or Jersey Tiger, is abundant. 



