Taking the other legs and wings in order. The Missel Thrush was sent
from the Tuskar, being the only specimen yet received. A male and
female Redstart were sent from Rockabill, Co. Dublin, by Mr Joseph
Hammond, having been obtained on April 24th and May 9th respectively.
The Redstart has quite recently been discovered to breed in Ireland,
at Powerscourt, Co. Wicklow. The Black Redstart was received from
the Fastnet, Co. Cork, found dead October 30th. It is recorded at
four other stations on the south coast. Its regular occurrence in the
south and east of Ireland has been established by this inquiry. On
July 10th a "Blackstart" is reported at Rockabill, Co. Dublin; but no
specimen having been sent, this unusual date requires confirmation.
The Whinchat, which is in Ireland a local bird, was killed striking
Coningbeg lantern on May 7th. Several Sedge Warblers and Whitethroats
were received from Rockabill, the Tuskar, and other stations. A
rush took place on May 9th. These Warblers were not previously
recognised--"Tits," "Wrens," "Flycatchers," and "Sally-pickers" doing
duty for them, and other allied species. The Grasshopper Warbler (rare
and local in Ireland) was obtained at the Tuskar, having been correctly
identified by Mr Richard Hamilton, from a copy of Morris' "British
Birds" supplied to that station by the Irish Lights Board. The Blackcap
was killed striking on Eagle Island, off Mayo, as late as October 31st,
the leg, wing, and head being forwarded by Mr Daniel Hawkins. A fine
old male Yellow Wagtail (_Motacilla Raii_) was killed at the Tuskar
on May 3d. It is rare and local in Ireland, occurring on the east and
south coasts. The wing and leg of a Skylark, caught striking at Mine
Head on 26th February, was of a much paler colour, and had shorter
toes than the ordinary form. A very large leg and wing of a Skylark
was received from Arklow South light-ship, killed October 28th. The
October immigration of the Chaffinch was evidenced by the production
of legs and wings, and extended to the lighthouses, several miles from
land, off the west of Ireland. A Turtle Dove was received from the
Tuskar in May, and some entries of "Doves" in the autumn, which have
been placed under the heading "Pigeons," are perhaps referable to this
species. The repeated occurrence of the Corncrake, several miles from
shore--killed striking against lanterns between 100 and 200 feet above
the sea-level--must satisfy the sceptical that this bird can fly long
distances and at a high level with great power and velocity. The Water
Rail, which seems so unwilling to fly, was received from the Fastnet
and Tuskar, and the Water Hen from Rathlin O'Birne, both having been
killed striking on 26th and 28th October. The first two stations are
seven or eight miles from the nearest land, and the last, two miles.
The Water Hen is stated by Mr Macginley of Rathlin O'Birne to have
struck "with tremendous force" at 11.30 P.M. This lantern is 116 feet
over sea.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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