PREFACE. 
XIX 
lull tops, over which the birds often flew within shot ; but of 
late such “ occupation ’s gone.” Similar changes respecting 
others of the Anaiidm, and also of the Grallaiores , will be found 
under the respective species. The beautiful and graceful roseate 
tern has nearly, if not wholly, disappeared within the last few 
years from a favourite annual breeding haunt, the Mew island, at 
the entrance of Belfast bay, the result, I grieve to say, of wanton 
cruelty. Persons go to the island every summer to shoot these 
birds, and the closely allied Arctic and common terns, while 
they have eggs or young. Should one even of a different species 
be brought to the ground, while the others are a little distant, 
they make common cause, wheel down towards their fallen com- 
rade as if to compassionate its fate, and are even at such times 
“ savagely slaughtered.^ The shooters have no object in view 
but the heartless one of using as targets these beautiful and in- 
nocent creatures, which are afterwards flung away as useless. 
Other birds have increased in number of late years ; the most 
striking example of which, for a regular and steady augmentation, 
is the missel thrush. The long-tailed tit has also become gradu- 
ally more plentiful : the extension of plantations is accessory 
to this end, in respect to both species. The singular increase 
of snow-buntings during a few winters will be found noticed ; as 
will that of crossbills in recent years. Allusion to the rapid 
multiplication of the magpie from the period of its introduction 
to the island, must not be omitted. The fact of the starling having 
deserted the town of Belfast as a building haunt for perhaps forty 
years, and two or three pair returning again last season, is singular. 
The increase in the number of quails wintering of late years, and 
in the number of woodcocks remaining through the summer, to 
breed in favourite localities, is worthy of record. 
A great deal more might be stated, in these general terms, on 
