164 
The Irish Naturalist, 
July, 
throughout the year and breeds 011 inland cliffs as well as on 
the coast. The somewhat extensive moorland of the centre 
of Man would seem to be well suited to the Merlin, and yet 
we read that its breeding is a rare, and indeed, casual occur- 
rence, though several instances are given. In Ireland it 
breeds regularly in twenty-four counties. Although the Cor- 
morant is a common bird all round the coasts of Man, Mr. 
Ralfe only knows two nesting colonies of about twelve nests 
each. The Shag is much more abundant and breeds numerously 
on the cliffs on the east, west, and south of the island. On 
most parts of the Irish coast the Cormorant is more abundant 
than the Shag, but the latter is the more numerous on the 
wild western side. The Heron during most of the year is far 
from uncommon in quiet and suitable places, and yet what- 
ever may have formerly been the case its status as a breeding 
species is now uncertain, and we cannot positively assert that 
any Herons now breed in Man." Particulars are given as to 
former breeding places, in willow bushes and clusters of ivy, 
owing to want of suitable trees, but there is nothing to show 
why these colonies have been deserted. In Ireland, the Heron 
is resident and common, breeding in every county, there being 
sixty-six heronries in the County of Cork alone. 
Of the Ducks, the Sheldrake, Mallard, and Teal are the only 
species that breed in Man, and only in very limited numbers. 
The former breeds in fifteen counties, and the two latter in 
every county in Ireland, as one should expect. 
The Ring Dove breeds freely in such woodland as exists in 
Man, but strange to say although the rocky coast seems par- 
ticularly suitable to it, and where it formerly was found in 
great numbers, the Rock Dove seems to be now extinct as a 
breeding species, though there is a doubt as to a few Pigeons 
which breed on Maughold Head. On the other hand, the 
Stock Dove is resident and increasing, and "the coasts of 
Patrick, Maughold, and Stanton, all once strongholds of the 
Rock Dove, have all been colonised by this species." This is 
quite in keeping with the northern and western extension of 
its breeding range lately. In Ireland the two former Pigeons 
are common residents, and the Stock Dove is spreading its 
range, but it is not found nesting on sea cliffs as is apparently 
the case in Man. 
