Page:The Natural History of Ireland vol1.djvu/23

 hill tops, over which the birds often flew within shot; but of late such "occupation's gone." Similar changes respecting others of the Anatidæ, and also of the Grallatores, 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 comrade 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 innocent 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 gradually 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