Page:The Zoologist, 3rd series, vol 1 (1877).djvu/265

Rh Golden-crested Wren, Regulus cristatus.—Resident and very common throughout the district, where there are suitable plantations.

Great Tit, Parus major.—Resident and common.

Blue Tit, Parus cæruleus.—Also common.

Cole Tit, Parus ater.—Common throughout the district. All three species build and rear their young in holes of walls about this place; indeed I have seen nests of the three species in the same wall of the farm-yard, with not many yards between the nests. They are very fond of feeding on oats, and it is most amusing to see the quickness with which such a feeble little bird extracts the grain from the husk, by placing it under its foot and, holding it firmly, twisting off the husk with its bill. Both the Blue and Cole Tits are very expert at this mode of shelling.

Long-tailed Tit, Parus caudatus.—Not common in the district, although Sir Charles K. Gore informed me that it is resident in the Belleek Woods. I have only observed it here at Moyview in the winters of 1857–58 and 1858–59, when it was very common in the plantations.

Pied Wagtail, Motacilla Yarrellii.—Resident and very common throughout the district, even in winter.

White Wagtail, Motacilla alba.—Has once occurred here. I shot one in a ploughed field on the island of Bartragh, April 25th, 1851: it appeared to move about more quietly than the Common Wagtail, and looking so much lighter in colour than that bird, I was induced to shoot it, and sent it to Dr. Harvey, of Cork, who confirmed my opinion by pronouncing it to be Motacilla alba.

Gray Wagtail, Motacilla boarula.—Although a resident, is not commonly distributed through this district. I have met with young birds on the banks of the Moy close to Ballina.

Yellow Wagtail, Motacilla Rayi.—A beautiful adult male visited this place on the 15th April, 1875. I saw it following a plough and picking up grubs and insects as they were turned up. It remained for only one day, and then disappeared.

Meadow Pipit, Anthus pratensis.—Resident and very common. Some years ago, in the month of September, while rabbit shooting early one morning, on the island of Bartragh, I witnessed a most extraordinary gathering of Titlarks. They appeared to have been resting after a long flight, and when I disturbed them in passing, the entire flock of about two hundred birds all took flight directly