Eagle 135 | Swallow 160
Greenland Falcon 135 | Martin 162
Hawks 136 | Swift 162
Owl 137 | Cuckoo 163
Thrushes 138 | Pigeons 163
Redwing 139 | Grouse 163
Fieldfare 140 | Golden Plover 164
Blackbird 140 | "Dotterel" 164
Ring Ouzel 141 | Green Plover 164
Hedgesparrow 142 | Turnstone 165
Robin 142 | "Sea-lark" 165
Redstart 142 | Sea-pie 165
"Stonechat" (Wheatear) 142 | Redshank 166
Blackcap 144 | Greenshank 166
Willow Wren 144 | Heron 166
Chiffchaff 144 | Curlew 167
"Grasshopper Warbler" 144 | Whimbrel 167
Golden-crested Wren 144 | Woodcock 169
Wren 145 | Snipe 169
"Tits" 146 | Corn Crake 170
Wagtails 146 | Geese 170
Titlark and Rock Pipits 147 | Ducks 172
Larks 148 | Merganser 173
Snow Bunting 150 | "Grebe" 173
Yellowhammer 151 | Great Northern Diver 173
Chaffinch 151 | Guillemot 173
Sparrow 152 | "Little Auk" 174
Greenfinch 152 | Puffin 174
Goldfinch 152 | Razorbill 175
Linnet 153 | Cormorant 177
Starling 155 | Gannet 178
Chough 157 | Terns 180
Raven 157 | Gulls 180
Hooded Crow 158 | Stormy Petrel 182
Rook 158 | Manx Shearwater 183
Jackdaw 160 | Birds not identified 184
Magpie 160 |
Number of Lighthouses at which the following Birds are reported to have
struck the Lantern-glass at Night.
Lighthouses.| Lighthouses.
"Small Grey Hawk" 1 | Chaffinch 2
Thrush 10 | Greenfinch 2
Redwing 1 | Linnet 2
Fieldfare 3 | Starling 11
Blackbird 9 | Swallow 4
Robin 4 | Green Plover 1
"Stonechat" (Wheatear) 4 | Sea-pie 1
Willow Wren} | Curlew and Whimbrel 3
Chiffchaff } 3 | Woodcock 6
Golden-crested Wren 7 | Snipe 3
Wren 7 | Wild Duck 1
"Tits" 1 | Stormy Petrel 5
Titlark 4 | Manx Shearwater 3
Lark 9 |
The foregoing table does not show the relative _numbers_ of birds
striking; it only exhibits the _number of stations_ at which each
species is reported to have struck. For example, the Blackbird is
reported to have struck the glass at nine stations, but hundreds did
so, and were killed or disabled; the Woodcock struck at six stations,
but only seven birds actually struck, all of which were killed outright.
Sea-birds rarely strike, and land-birds seem to strike lighthouses on
islands more than on headlands.
The light-keepers having been requested to forward a leg and wing of
every bird which they were not able to identify with certainty, the
following were received:
Leg and wing of Ring Ouzel from the Skelligs shot Sept. 17th.
Skin of the Hedgesparrow from Tearaght " Oct. 3rd.
Wing of the Black Redstart from Skelligs " Nov. 13th.
Two Snow Buntings in summer plumage from Arranmore " 1st week in May.
Snow Bunting in winter plumage from Skelligs " Sept. 18th.
Wing of the Greenfinch from Skelligs " Nov.
Leg and wing of a hen Chaffinch from Tearaght " Oct. 26th.
*Leg of a Chough from Tearaght.
*Leg and wing of a Woodcock from Tearaght.
Leg and wing of Corn Crake from Rockabill. Struck lantern. Sent May 10th.
Skin of a Water Rail from St. John Point. Struck lantern.
Skin of a young Razorbill from Tearaght shot Jan. 13th, 1885.
*Wings of the Stormy Petrel from Tearaght.
A Wren in the flesh from Eagle Island.
Do. do. Skelligs " Sept. 4th.
Snow Bunting from Eagle Island " April 16th.
* Obtained where the Peregrine feeds on rock.
General Remarks of Light-Keepers.
_Fastnet._--"Spring: The Gannet does not breed on the rock, and never
did; in fact no bird could build, as the rock is too small. There has
been a great scarcity of birds this spring. No birds of any description
seen in June or to 16th July."--James Walsh.
_Old Head, Kinsale._--"Spring: I understand from those fishing off this
head that sea-birds arrive on the fishing grounds from daylight to 10
a.m., always from the eastward. Sky Larks, Titlarks, two Falcon Hawks,
thirty to forty Rock Pigeons, Grey Crows, Kittiwake Gulls, Green and
Black Cormorants, and Sea-pies, are resident here. The Puffin arrives
about 15th April, and leaves 15th Aug. Snipe are always to be found
near a lake three miles away, and Curlew, Wild Duck, Coot, and Waterhen
are there all the year. Autumn: Saw one Rook with white wings in a
flock. Birds very scarce. Not one Golden Plover seen. No bird struck
the lantern."--Martin Kennedy.
_Mine Head._--No reply.
_Coningbeg Light-ship._--"Spring: Great flocks of Puffins pass almost
daily in the summer months from the Saltee Islands, where they breed,
going off during the day and returning in the early morning [? R. M.
B.] about sunrise. Several species of Gull fly off during the day and
return in the evening to the rocks. No Gannets frequent the Saltees,
but Cormorants in great numbers."--Patrick Cullen.
_Tuskar Rock._--"Spring: No birds seen in January but sea-fowl. A
remarkable absence of sea-birds this year. March 25th was the last
day I saw Divers; they generally return in Oct. The young or Black
Gannet have come since the 1st June in small numbers, accompanied by
some white ones. Autumn: I have received the eight volumes of Morris'
'British Birds,' and am sorry to say that all birds heretofore entered
as 'Titmice' were probably Willow or other warblers, and 'Titlarks'
were Rock Pipits. Most of the small land-birds rest on the rock for
about five minutes before flying to shore (seven miles distant). I
enter no sea-birds, as they mostly come and go with fish."--Richard
Hamilton and Patrick D'Arcy.
_Howth Baily._--"Spring: No birds observed migrating. Gulls and Puffins
in vicinity nearly always."--William Dunne.
_Rockabill._--"July 14th. Bats about light all night. Wind light,
S.W."--Joseph Hammond.
[This is the first entry of Bats since the observation commenced on
Irish coast in 1881. Rockabill is five miles from shore on the Dublin
coast.--R. M. B.]
_South Maidens._--"From 1st to 25th March no birds seen except
Seagulls. It is remarkable how few of the birds seen here strike the
lantern glass. From the 30th March to the 23rd April no birds seen here
but the Solan Goose and Seagulls, the former coming from the direction
of Ailsa Craig. During December there were scarcely any land-birds. The
birds commonly found dead after striking the lantern are Blackbirds,
Curlew Larks, and Thrushes."--Michael Barry.
[There is no entry of either a Blackbird or Curlew having been killed
at South Maidens in 1884.--R. M. B.]
_Rathlin Island._--"Spring: Birds were not at all numerous this
season."--John A. Murray.
_Innishtrahull._--"Spring: The following birds breed on this
island:--Titlarks, Sandlarks, Stonechickers (Wheatears), Grey Crows,
and Pigeons. On the out rocks, Seapies and Gulls; and Cormorants on a
rock six miles away."--W. H. James.
_Dunree Head._--"Spring: No birds struck the light for the past six
years. I have never been at a station so scarce of birds of every
description."--John Stapleton.
_Tory Island._--"Spring: Sea-birds first visit this island about 15th
April for breeding, _i.e._, Guillemots, Gulls, Cormorant, Puffin,
Razorbill, and Green Cormorant. Birds of all kinds scarce this year. No
birds struck lantern."--T. H. Sweeny and R. C. Duffy.
_Killybegs._--"A very poor station for birds."--Joseph Hill.
_Eagle Island, East._--"The grass on this island is short and stunted,
and not sufficiently long to afford cover or shelter for birds. I have
not seen or heard any birds strike the lantern. No night migration was
observable on this island. There is not a bush or hedgerow within forty
miles."--Daniel Hawkins.
_Blacksod._--"Very few birds to be seen here. No birds strike the
lantern glass."--Robert W. Redmond.
_Clare Island._--"The birds came to breed in the cliffs a couple of
weeks earlier than usual. From April 20th to end of month, large
numbers of sea-birds continually arrived to breed. The sea-birds that
hatched this summer were very numerous. They will all be taking their
departure by the end of August. During October few birds inhabit the
island, except Grouse, Curlew, Wild Pigeon, Snipe, and a few Woodcocks
and Cormorants; and round the rocks a few Great Northern Divers. The
Eagles did great destruction, killing geese and hens. There are a great
number of Seals in the caves. A boat and crew killed six large ones in
one day in the caves, armed with nothing but heavy sticks. There are a
number of Otters about the cliffs. In stormy weather they come near the
lighthouse. One night in Dec. I heard one barking, and saw him go down
to the sea afterwards."--George H. Brownell.
_Slyne Head, North._--"Very few land birds seen this winter. The
sea-fowl are about the island at all times. The number of birds
striking lantern is less than preceding year."--Robert Tyrrell.
_Arran Island, North._--"During August a great number of Sandlarks,
Sea-pie, Curlew, and Titlarks, remained on island. Puffins, Gannets,
Gulls, and Cormorants flying past occasionally. Redshanks, Sea-pie,
Sandlarks, and Curlew during fine weather remain on island; when rough
they go to the big island of Arran."--Thomas Fortune.
_Straw Island._--"Spring: The following species were never so
scarce:--Gulls, Gannets, Puffins, and Sea-pies. I have never seen so
few birds early in spring, but as the spring advanced the numbers of
Linnets, Fieldlarks, Stonechats, and Yellowhammers increased so much
that I have not seen such numbers for many years past. The different
species of Gull and Cormorant remain throughout the year; they breed
on the cliffs on the large island of Arran. No birds ever strike this
lantern, the light being red, and not showing in the direction of the
general flight of birds. Autumn: I have noticed fewer birds than usual.
The Cormorant, White-backed Gull, and Royal Gull are the only species
remaining during the winter. A number of small birds, such as Thrushes,
Blackbirds, Starling, Linnets, &c., frequently fly from the mainland,
especially in severe weather. All through the autumn to the present
(Dec. 30th) I have remarked flights of wild Duck and Barnacle going
N.E."--Charles Boyle.
_Tearaght._--"I heard the Manx Shearwater for the first time this year
on the night of April 10th, but as usual the note ceased after the moon
rose. I have not seen any of the 'Mackerel Cock' since March 29th. [A
specimen of 'Mackerel Cock' sent Jan., 1885, was a young Razorbill
in winter plumage.--R. M. B.] Birds remaining on the island on July
31st:--Sea-parrots, Razorbills, Guillemots (only a few), Kittiwakes,
Royal Gulls, and the large White Gulls, Stormy Petrels, Sea-pies,
Choughs, and Hooded Crows. Birds remaining Jan. 15th, 1885:--Razorbills
(young), Kittiwakes (old), _Royal Gulls_, _Herring Gulls_ (young
and old), _Chough_, _Hooded Crow_, _Wrens_, Titlarks, _Rock Pipit_,
_Peregrine Falcon_, _Sparrow-Hawk_, Mountain Linnet (Twite), Gannets,
Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Rock Pigeon, and Cormorants. Those in italics
are always here. The Herring Gull was called previously 'large white
Gull.' I wish to draw special attention to the great number of 'Crows'
which passed over this island from the 5th to the 25th Nov. They were
flying at a height of seven or eight hundred feet. When passing this
island their flight would become irregular. Some rested for a little
while, and a few were to be seen some days afterwards having a tired
appearance." [I expressed a doubt about the identification of the
species to Mr. McCarron.--R. M. B.] He then wrote:--"I was standing
within ten paces of one several minutes, and it had not the excrescence
round the base of bill, and I think I am correct in saying it was not
the Rook." [Neither Mr. More nor myself have ever seen a freshly killed
Irish specimen of the Carrion Crow. In the 3rd 'Report on Migration,'
p. 86, large flights of Rooks coming from the sea in a S.W. direction
are mentioned as occurring at Blackrock Lighthouse, nine miles off
Mayo.--R. M. B.]
Eagle.
_Clare Island._--April 4th, a young speckled Eagle perched at noon on
a pinnacle of cliff about two hundred yards from lighthouse, then went
to its eyrie in the highest cliffs. The two Eagles are here still in
their usual abode in the highest cliffs. Nov. 20th, large Eagle close
to station.
_Tearaght._--Jan. 16th, 1885, one passed from E. in front of dwellings,
and round west of island, when it rose to a great height and moved
steadily N.E. towards mainland, accompanied for some distance by three
Choughs and a Peregrine Falcon, which appeared mere specks beside it.
Frost and snow on Kerry mountains.
Greenland Falcon.
_Blackrock, Mayo._--March 10th, one Greenland Falcon about all day;
wind S.W., strong, snow showers. The Falcon was shot, and was much
smaller than the other one, only in better condition. [The "other one"
probably refers to the specimen entered in the schedule for 1883; see
5th Report, p. 90.--R. M. B.]
_Tearaght._--March 23rd, one Greenland Falcon shot 10 a.m.; wind S.,
light, clear; length from tips of wings, 48½ inches; from beak to
tail, 22 inches; weight, 3 lbs. 6. oz. March 24th, one seen to-day
devouring a sea-parrot. April 2nd, one shot, smaller and whiter than
the bird killed on March 23rd. April 7th, two to-day, each time pursued
by Crows. April 21st, a very large one pounced upon a sea-parrot and
carried it off to an adjoining island. [The specimens killed on March
23rd and April 2nd were recorded in Report for 1883.--R. M. B.]
Hawks.
_Fastnet._--Sept. 15th, one seen. Oct. 15th, one Black Hawk 10 a.m.,
going E.; wind N.W., light, misty. Nov. 14th, one Hawk seen.
_Old Head, Kinsale._--May 7th, two Falcons and one "Goshawk" all day;
wind N.E., strong. The Falcons never leave here. The "Goshawk" always
goes inland. June 8th, two Falcon Hawks, resident; 24th, one "Goshawk"
shot. Nov. 4th, two Falcons going N.W.; stormy from S.W.
_Dungarvan._--April 11th, one Falcon Hawk. May 9th, one. Coningbeg
Light-ship.--September 22nd, one Sparrow Hawk. Oct. 10th, one, with a
Stormy Petrel in its talons. Nov. 21st, one.
_Barrels Rock Light-ship._--Oct. 24th, one Hawk. Nov. 18th, one.
_Tuskar Rock._--May 11th, one Hawk on rock, fog; 27th, one on rock.
Aug. 23rd, one 8 a.m. Oct. 5th, one 9 a.m.
_Arklow North Light-ship._--Sept. 8th, two Sparrow Hawks about ship
6.30 a.m.; wind N.W., light, haze; 14th, a large Hawk at 8 a.m. Oct.
2nd, one Hawk. Dec. 22nd, two Hawks about ship.
_Rockabill._--July 1st, one Hawk caught alive. Sept. 1st, one Hawk
seen. Oct. 6th, do.; 23rd, one Hawk, with Golden Wrens, Thrushes,
Blackbirds, Stares, and Larks; "several killed but not the Hawk." Nov.
9th, 10th, and 11th, Hawk, with Blackbirds, Thrushes, Stares, and
Fieldfares; several of latter killed striking; 16th and 17th, one Hawk.
_South Maidens._--Oct. 24th, two Hawks over rock.
_Rathlin Island._--Oct. 24th, one Sparrow Hawk on island; wind N.,
light.
_Innishtrahull._--April 1st, one small bluish Hawk; wind strong S. May
7th, one small bluish Hawk and two brown Hawks; 9th, three Sparrow
Hawks (young); 25th, a Sparrow Hawk. July 18th, four Sparrow Hawks,
remained about a week.
_Tory Island._--A pair of "Game Hawks" breed in the cliffs.
_Arranmore._--March 22nd, two Peregrines and two Sparrow Hawks arrived
to breed; wind N., fresh.
_Rathlin O'Birne._--March 9th, two Hawks; I have seen them kill small
birds.
_Eagle Island, East._--Oct. 13th, one Sparrow Hawk, at noon, hovering.
_Blackrock, Mayo._--July 16th, one Falcon at 3 p.m. going E.; wind
strong S.W.; seen carrying off a Puffin. Sept. 3rd, two Falcons at 7
a.m. going S.W.; wind N.W., fresh; 9th, one seen alighting on rock to
eat a bird it caught; 29th, one Falcon. Oct. 14th, two Sparrow Hawks
going N.E.; 29th, two Falcons hovering high over rock. Dec. 3rd, two.
_Clare Island._--June 1st, six Kestrel Hawks building in the cliffs.
The "large Kestrel Hawk" remained until end of Dec.
_Arran Island, North._--Oct. 1st, one "Brown Hawk" all day.
_Straw Island._--March 30th, one Sparrow Hawk going N. Nov. 23rd, two
going E.
_Tearaght._--Feb. 5th, two "Sparrow Hawks" and two Peregrine Falcons
breed here; may be seen from time to time about the island. Aug. 13th
and 14th, two "Brown Hawks" on island. Sept. 5th, "small Gray Hawk"
rested on island; Sept. 11th to 16th, one "Brown Hawk." Oct. 8th, one
struck glass on S. side at 6 p.m.; strong gale from N.W., with showers.
_Valencia._--April 7th, two large Hawks; 20th, four Sparrow Hawks;
26th, six large Hawks; 30th, five Sparrow Hawks. June 4th and 6th, two
and three. Sept. 5th, one. Oct. 5th, one.
Owl.
_Old Head, Kinsale._--Nov. 10th, one "Brown Owl" 10 a.m., going W.;
wind S.S.E.; shot.
_Dungarvan._--Sept. 3rd, a "large Owl" started from gorse.
_Tuskar Rock._--Nov. 12th, a "short-eared Owl" came from E. and
alighted on rock at 2 p.m.; wind strong S.E.
_Broadhaven._--Nov. 19th, one "Brown Owl" going E. 9 a.m.; wind fresh
N.W. Dec. 19th, one "Screech Owl" rose out of a swamp; an unusual
visitor.
Thrushes.
_Fastnet._--April 3rd, three "Mountain Thrushes" going N.E. at 5 a.m.,
wind E.S.E., clear; rested on rock several hours. Oct. 14th, five at
midnight; wind light N.W., fog. Nov. 14th, seven "Mountain Thrushes"
all night around lantern; wind N.E., misty.
_Old Head, Kinsale._--Nov. 12th, a large number of Thrushes about
station all day; wind N., fresh.
_Tuskar Rock._--March 1st, striking in small numbers 11.30 p.m.; wind
moderate S.E., misty, overcast; 2nd, five killed striking; fog; 4th,
thirty killed striking in night; wind high S.E., rainy, overcast,
and passing all day to W. Oct. 15th, one on rock after night; 16th,
Thrushes passing N.W. 9 p.m. to 10.30 p.m.; wind light W., misty; one
killed striking; 23rd, flocks passing at night to 3 a.m., one killed
striking; overcast; 24th, flocks passing at night to 3 a.m., five
killed striking; cloudy. Nov. 2nd, one all day on rock; wind N.W.,
fresh. Dec. 21st, one killed striking at 1 a.m.; clear, wind N., strong.
_Arklow South Light-ship._--Sept. 30th, flock about ship, 6 a.m.;
clear, wind light S.W. Oct. 16th, one struck lantern, 9.30 p.m.,
killed; overcast; 20th, four killed striking from 8 p.m. to midnight;
wind light S.W., gloomy, with rain; 24th, four killed striking up to
midnight; wind light N.E., gloomy; 25th, flock going N.W. Nov. 17th and
18th, Thrushes about lantern all night, cloudy, none killed; wind fresh
N.E.
_Arklow North Light-ship._--March 4th, some Thrushes killed striking;
wind N.E., overcast; 19th, some about lantern all night; wind light
S.W., clear. Oct. 21st, flocks going N.W.; wind light S.W.; some killed
striking; hazy. Dec. 27th, eight killed striking from midnight to 5
a.m.; wind light S., hazy, with rain.
_Howth Baily._--Sept. 8th, three against glass at night; wind light
S.W., overcast, gloomy; Sept. 9th to 13th, Thrushes about station fly
against glass all night; two killed.
_Rockabill._--March 1st, Thrushes all night about the light; wind S.E.,
misty; two dozen killed striking. Oct. 5th, Thrushes all night; misty,
wind N.E., light; 18th, 19th, and 20th, Thrushes all day; wind light
N.W.; 21st, Thrushes all day; 23rd, all day and night, some killed;
wind S.E., gloomy; 24th, Thrushes all night, some killed; wind S.E.,
misty. Nov. 9th, 10th, and 11th, Thrushes all night, numbers killed
striking; wind S.E., misty; 14th and 15th, Thrushes around light, some
killed; wind E. to N.E., light, gloomy. Dec. 1st, Thrushes.
_South Maidens._--February 25th, five "Scotch Thrushes" (Redwings?)
killed striking, and a few disabled at 4 p.m. [? a.m.--R. M. B.] Wind
N., light, gloomy. Oct. 20th, one killed striking 11 p.m.; 23rd, nine
Thrushes, killed striking, fell into the sea.
_Rathlin Island._--Oct. 8th, one struck at midnight, caught; wind light
S.E.; 15th, 11 p.m., one caught; wind N.W., light, fog.
_Arranmore._--Nov. 30th, four Thrushes killed striking 9 p.m.; wind W.,
strong, fog. Dec. 28th, seven seen.
_Rathlin O'Birne._--March 12th, four going N.; wind S.
_Killybegs._--Oct. 13th, one killed striking 1 a.m.; wind N.W., gloomy,
misty.
_Eagle Island, East._--Dec. 15th, two seen.
_Slyne Head, North._--Nov. (4th?), five killed striking lantern.
_Tearaght._--March 5th, one; not observed afterwards.
_Valencia._--April 9th, two; 12th, five. May 18th, eight. June 15th,
one.
_Skelligs._--Oct. 24th, two Thrushes on rock. Nov. 4th, Thrushes
observed on rock this day. Dec. 22nd, a few on rock during month.
Redwing.
_Tuskar Rock._--Oct. 12th, one killed striking 11.30 p.m.; wind N.,
strong, squally; the first this season. Oct. 21st, 22nd, 23rd, and
24th, flocks passing N.W. at night to 3.30 a.m.; wind S. to S.W. (N. on
24th), light, overcast, and misty; four killed striking. Nov. 18th, one
struck; 19th, do., neither killed; 30th, three killed striking 3 to 5
a.m.; misty.
_Tearaght._--Nov. 19th, several Redwings, and one or two might be
observed from time to time afterwards.
_Skelligs._--Nov. 4th, Redwing seen on rock.
Fieldfare.
_Tuskar Rock._--Nov. 18th, one killed striking; wind N.E., cloudy. Dec.
25th, one killed striking; wind N.E., fresh, clear.
_Howth Baily._--Sept. 9th to 13th, some "Fieldfares" about lantern at
night.
_Rockabill._--Nov. 9th, 10th, and 11th, Fieldfares, with Blackbirds,
Stares, and Thrushes all night; some killed; wind S.E., misty.
_Arranmore._--Nov. 12th, six arrived on island; wind S.W., strong.
_Tearaght._--Nov. 14th, one struck lantern 3 a.m.; calm, gloomy. Two or
three observed on several occasions afterwards.
Blackbird.
_Fastnet._--Sept. 19th, one all day; foggy; 20th, one seen.
_Dungarvan._--Oct. 24th, two females struck; not killed; wind N.,
light, cloudy.
_Coningbeg Light-ship._--Oct. 22nd, twenty about light 9 to 12 p.m.:
wind light S., clear. Nov. 18th, one going N.E.
_Barrels Rock Light-ship._--Oct. 23rd, one killed against rigging 4
a.m.; wind S.W., moderate, gloomy.
_Tuskar Rock._--March 4th, fifty killed striking in night; wind high
S.E., rainy, overcast; flocks in day passing to W. Sept. 21st, one
struck lantern; not killed; wind light S.E., foggy; the first this
autumn. Oct. 7th, one female on rock; 10th, one; 15th, one; 21st,
flocks passing in night; some killed striking; misty; 22nd, flocks
at night; fifteen killed striking (eleven were females); misty, wind
light S.W.; 23rd, flocks passing at night; nineteen killed striking,
mostly females; overcast, wind the same; 24th, still passing at night;
ten killed; wind N.W. to N.E., light, cloudy. Redwings and Thrushes
passed with the Blackbirds the last four nights, and all are entered
as passing before 3.30 a.m. Nov. 11th, two killed striking; overcast;
17th, passing N.E. in threes and fours during day; 30th, five killed
(three males, two females); misty. Dec. 2nd, one male killed striking;
fog. Dec. 21st, two killed; sky clear.
_Arklow South Light-ship._--Oct. 8th, Blackbirds about lantern 1 to 4
a.m.; hazy, wind light N.W.; 25th, large flock flying N.W.; wind light
N.W. Nov. 17th and 18th, Blackbirds about lantern all night; cloudy,
wind light N.E.
_Arklow North Light-ship._--March 4th, Blackbirds killed striking; wind
N.E., light, overcast. June 10th, some Blackbirds found dead. Oct.
21st, flocks passing N.W.; some killed striking; wind light S.W., hazy.
Dec. 27th, five killed striking midnight to 5 a.m.; wind light S.,
hazy, with rain.
_Howth Baily._--Sept. 8th, seven against lantern in night; one killed;
wind light S.W., overcast, gloomy; 9th to 13th, Blackbirds about
station fly against glass in night; one killed.
_Rockabill._--Oct. 5th, Blackbirds all night; misty, wind light N.E.;
18th, 19th, and 20th, all day; wind light N.W.; 21st, all day and
night; wind S.E., gloomy; some killed; 24th, all night; some killed;
misty. Nov. 9th, 10th, and 11th, Blackbirds all night, with Thrushes,
Stares, and Fieldfares; numbers killed; misty, wind S.E.; 14th, several
killed; wind E., gloomy; 15th, do.; wind N.E., gloomy. Dec. 16th and
17th, Blackbirds and Stares all day.
_Copeland Island._--March 20th, three killed striking; wind W., strong,
squally.
_South Maidens._--Oct. 8th, one on rock all day. Nov. 29th, one
Blackbird at 4 a.m.; wind S.E., very strong.
_Rathlin Island._--Dec. 27th, six remaining.
_Arranmore._--Jan. 5th, 1885, eight Blackbirds; wind light S.E.
_Rathlin O'Birne._--June 4th, three on island. Seen in summer.
[Possibly Ring Ouzels.--R. M. B.]
_Eagle Island, East._--Nov. 10th, one seen.
_Blackrock, Mayo._--Jan. 5th, 1885, one struck lantern at 9 p.m. and
was killed; wind fresh W., cloudy.
_Slyne Head, North._--Dec. 11th, one seen on island at II a.m.
_Straw Island._--Oct. 17th, thirty going N.E.; calm
_Tearaght._--Feb. 22nd, one. March 4th, one. Nov. 10th, one, female,
and several times afterwards.
_Valencia._--Sept. 7th, Nov. 16th, Dec. 15th and 25th, one to four.
_Skelligs._--Oct. 24th, two Blackbirds on rock. Dec, a few on rock
during month.
Ring Ouzel.
_Barrels Rock Light-ship._--March 29th, one "Blackbird" resting on ship
was caught; it had a white stripe of feathers across its breast.
_Tuskar Rock._--April 18th, one "white-breasted Blackbird" caught at
lantern 10 p.m.; wind light N.E.