December 17th.—Langness L.H., one Redshank caught on lantern at 7 P.M. (S.W. strong breeze; clear.)
December 21st.—Nash (E.) L.H., Fieldfares and Redwings passing at intervals from noon to 3 P.M. (N.E., 3.) Eddystone L.H., a Jacksnipe killed at 3 A.M. (N.N.E., 3; B. C. V.)
December 22d.—Langness L.H., three Snow Buntings at 3 P.M. (N. fresh breeze; clear.) Nash (E.) L.H., eight to twelve Song Thrushes going S.W. at 9 A.M. Starlings and Fieldfares going W.S.W. from 9 A.M. to 3 P.M. Portland (Low) L.H., two Thrushes at 11.30 A.M.
W. Eagle Clarke.
Museum of Science and Art,
Edinburgh.
IRISH COAST.
The Report for 1887 on the Irish coast is satisfactory. The schedules number seventy-five, from thirty-one stations. As a rule they never were better or more carefully filled, and the number of legs and wings and specimens is almost 150. In addition to the schedules, many letters have been received, either inquiring the names of species or remarking on the special movements of birds. This shows that the Irish light-keepers display an intelligent and increasing interest in birds, and are quite as anxious and as willing as their English and Scottish brethren to further the objects of this inquiry. It is a difficult task to select from so many observers any special names; but the schedules from the Fastnet, Tuskar, and Coningbeg Light-ship, and the number of specimens accompanying them, deserve to be gratefully recorded. Messrs George Dunleavy, Patrick Cullen, W. Clydesdale, Peter Page, Edward M'Kenna, J. M. Leary, and P. Corish were the contributors. Some light-keepers are more fortunately situated than others, and the excellence of a schedule is to some extent dependent on locality. At the same time at a bad station a watchful observer can often supply notes which enable us to comprehend more clearly the range over which the movements of certain species extend.
At all times it has been a matter for regret that the identification of birds by the light-keepers was not more accurate. Even trained ornithologists might readily err in distinguishing species flying past or around the lanterns, and it cannot be too strongly impressed on the light-keepers that it is of vital importance to send a leg and wing of at least one specimen of every species killed striking. Uncommon birds should be forwarded in the flesh.
As to rarities, 1887 stands ahead of any other year on the Irish coast. Two birds have been added to the Irish list—the Red-breasted Flycatcher (Mr Alfred B. Wall and Patrick Clancy), and the Lapland Bunting (Mr George Dunleavy). Both were fortunately sent in the flesh—the former as a "small bird," the latter as a "Twite." Particulars of the occurrence of each is given in the body of the Report. The Greenland Falcon was received from the Skelligs (Messrs James Walsh and Benjamin Jeffers)—shot while eating a rabbit, September 28th. It has not been noticed on the west coast by the light-keepers since the winter of 1883-4. Probably Falco candicans loses its way migrating, or in following the numerous flocks of sea-fowl on their southerly journey from the arctic seas in the autumn. The Falcon sent from the Skelligs was a magnificent old male—legs yellow, and plumage unusually white. The Pied Flycatcher is reported to have been seen at the Fastnet on April 12th. Mr George Dunleavy says it was the same species as he sent the leg and wing of in October 1886. The first Irish specimen was killed April 18th, 1875, at Ballina (Zoologist, 1875, p. 4498), but other Irish records (see Report for 1886, p. 128) are autumnal.
A Redstart was received from the Fastnet, and the stations from which the Black Redstart is reported are more numerous than any year so far; these are authenticated by six specimens received. The stations extend from Arklow S. light-ship round the S. coast to Blackrock, Mayo. From the latter station no specimen was received, but the description in the schedule agrees with the Black Redstart. None have yet been observed at any light stations on the N. coast.