December, 19 14. 
Tlie Irish Naturalist. 
241 
BIRD RUSHES AND WRENS. 
BY R. BARRLXGTOX, M.A., F.L.S. 
On the night of the i6th-i7th of October of this \^ear 
the moon was in her dark phase, and the sky was overcast. 
For certain birds the period of what might be called the 
maximum density of their autumnal migration was near. 
Therefore it might reasonably be anticipated that a con- 
siderable rush would be observed at light stations. 
This proved to be the case, and a remarkable immigration 
into Ireland took place along a coast-line of over 270 miles, 
extending from the Fastnet on the south coast, past the 
Tuskar Lighthouse and the South Arklow Lightship, to 
Rockabill on the east coast. A single specimen from South 
Rock, Co. Down, proved that the dimensions of the wave 
of migrants had there dwindled to the vanishing point. 
Commencing with the Fastnet, the well-known Co. Cork 
lighthouse, eight miles from shore, the lightkeeper, Mr. 
Murphy, writes : — 
" On the night of the i6th and morning of the 17th of 
October, a great flight of birds took place. There were 
thousands flying through the rays of light the whole night 
through until about an hour before sunrise, when thev 
gradually disappeared. Blackbirds and Thrushes appeared 
to be present in greatest numbers, but Landrail [probably 
Water-Rail. — R. M. B.], Chaffinches, Wrens, Waterhens, 
Pigeons, Woodcock, Larks, and Starling were also observed. 
Curlew and Golden Plover were heard whistling overhead. 
About 40 Blackbirds and Thrushes were killed striking, 
and I captured a Golden-crested Wren and a Redbreast 
perched on the sash bars, but released them. Wind N.E., 
light, cloudy, mist}^" 
No specimens were forwarded. 
The lightkeeper at the Tuskar, Mr. Johnston, describing 
the rush at that station, writes : — 
" I beg to state that on the night of the i6th and morning 
of the 17th inst., between 10.30 p.m. and 2 a.m., a large lot 
of birds were about lantern, the majorit}^ of them Thrushes, 
Blackbirds, Starling, Chaffinches, a few Redcrest Wrens 
A 
