The presence of the Gannet all round the coast during the breeding season would seem to show that a large proportion do not breed. The little Skellig Rock, off the Kerry coast, is the only Irish breeding-place of the Gannet; and when visited in 1880, by Mr. Barrington, there were scarcely thirty pairs breeding.
In the returns many entries occur which probably do not refer to migrating birds, but it has been thought prudent not to omit any from the printed report.
It is remarked by some light-keepers that more birds strike fixed than revolving or flash lights.
Attention is called to the great scarcity of Starlings in 1882 in several schedules.
Conclusions are premature for a year or two, and it is as well to let the observations of the light-keepers speak for themselves.
Great results are not anticipated from this enquiry, but few satisfactory ones will be forthcoming unless it be continued; it is therefore essential that the light-keepers should assist us for some years longer, and we trust they will do so.
To Captain Boxer, R.N., Inspector of Irish Lights, we are again indebted for friendly aid; as well as to the Commissioners of Irish Lights, who were good enough to take forty copies of last year's report, and distribute them to the various observers.
Alexander G. More.
Richard M. Barrington.
List of Light-stations.
| Sp. | Au. | Miles from shore. | Names of Observers. | ||
| 1. | Fastnet, Co. Cork | o | o | 8 | |
| 2. | Galley Head, do. | x | x | - | John Whelan. |
| 3. | Old Head, Kinsale, do. | x | x | - | George Dunleavy and Martin Kennedy. |
| 4. | Mine Head, Waterford | x | o | - | Joseph Hammond. |
| 5. | Dungarvan, do. | - | x | - | Wm. Higginbotham. |
| 5. | Coningbeg Lt.-ship, Wexford | x | x | 10 | Patrick Cullen. |
| 6. | Barrels Rock Lt.-ship, do. | o | x | 4 | Michael Doyle. |
| 7. | Tuskar, do. | x | x | 7 | Richard Hamilton. |
| 8. | Arklow S. Lt.-ship, Wicklow | x | o | 7 | William O'Shea. |
| 9. | Wicklow Head | o | o | - | |
| 10. | Kish Bank Lt.-ship, Dublin | x | x | 7 | William Daly. |
| 11. | Howth Baily, do. | o | x | - | William Dunne and James Higginbotham. |
| 12. | Rockabill, do. | o | x | 5 | Joseph Hammond. |
| 13. | Copeland Island, Down | x | x | 3 | John Walsh. |
| 14. | Maidens, Antrim | x | x | 5 | Patrick Keenan. |
| 15. | Rathlin, do. | x | x | 6 | John A. Murray. |
| 16. | Innishtrahull, Donegal | x | x | - | W. H. James. |
| 17. | Dunree Head, do. | x | x | - | John Stapleton. |
| 18. | Lough Swilly, do. | x | x | - | Henry Redmond. |
| 19. | Tory Island, do. | o | x | 9 | Thomas Sweeny. |
| 20. | Arranmore, do. | x | x | 5 | Henry Williams. |
| 21. | Rathlin O'Birne, do. | o | x | 2 | Joseph Hill. |
| 22. | Killybegs, do. | o | x | - | Daniel Hawkins. |
| 23. | Oyster Island, N. Sligo | x | x | 1 | John Young. |
| 24. | Broadhaven, Mayo | x | x | - | Joseph Williams and Michael Duffy. |
| 25. | Eagle Island, E., do. | x | o | 2 | Robert W. Redmond. |
| 26. | Eagle Island, W., do. | x | x | 2 | Matthew Healy. |
| 27. | Blackrock, do | x | o | 9 | Martin Kennedy. |
| 28. | Blacksod Point, do. | x | o | - | J. Williams. |
| 29. | Clare Island, do. | x | x | 4 | J. Reilly and G. H. Brownell. |
| 30. | Slyne Head, N., Galway | x | x | 3 | John Gillan and Robert Tyrrell. |
| 31. | Slyne Head, S., do. | x | o | - | William Callaghan. |
| 32. | Arran Island, N., do. | x | x | 9 | John Kelly. |
| 33. | Straw Island, do. | x | x | 9 | Charles Boyle. |
| 34. | Straw Island, S., do. | o | x | 6 | John O'Donnell. |
| 35. | Loop Head, Clare | o | o | - | |
| 36. | Samphire Island, Kerry | x | x | ½ | Michael O'Donnell and J. Williams. |
| 37. | Tearaght, do. | x | x | 9 | Edward McCarron. |
| 38. | Valentia, do. | x | x | - | Thomas McKenna and Joseph Williams. |
| 39. | Skelligs, do. | x | x | 9 | Henry Gardiner. |
| 40. | Dursey Island, Cork | x | x | ½ | James Keenan. |