Page:The Zoologist, 3rd series, vol 1 (1877).djvu/267

Rh but hearing the cry day after day without ceasing, I climbed up and found a fully fledged young bird fastened by the leg to the bottom of the nest, its little claws having become entangled in the wool used in its construction. This was so finely twisted round the foot that before I could disentangle it I was obliged to bring it down from the tree. Last summer I found a young Spotted Flycatcher fastened to its nest in a similar way, but although quite fledged its wing-feathers had been so worn away by rubbing against the nest in its struggles to escape that it was quite unable to fly when set free.

Siskin, Carduelis spinus.—Rare: I have only once met with it here, when I observed three birds (two females and a male) feeding on a ditch bank, along with some Goldfinches, in December, 1872.

Lesser Redpoll, Linaria minor.— Rare, though resident in very limited numbers. One or two pairs have nests every season about the garden and plantations. I found a nest built in a larch tree about twelve feet from the ground, and also found young birds in the plantations when scarcely able to fly.

Mountain Linnet, Linaria flavirostris.—The commonest of all the Linnets that frequent the district, and hundreds may be seen in winter feeding amongst the bent grass on the island of Bartragh, where numbers also breed and rear their young in summer.

Common Linnet, Linaria cannabina.—Common, but not to be seen in such numbers here as in the South of Ireland.

Bulfinch, Pyrrhula vulgaris.— Rare: I have only occasionally observed it during winter, and I do not remember ever seeing it in this district in the breeding season, although it may take up its abode wherever there are brakes of its favourite sloe or blackthorn.

Starling, Sturnus vulgaris.—Exceedingly numerous during winter, and a few pairs breed in the cliffs of Killcummin Head, Killala Bay.

Chough, Pyrrhocorax graculus.—Scarce: a few pairs breed in the sea cliffs of Killcummin Head.

Raven, Corvus corax.—Has become very scarce of late years, owing to the constant trapping and poisoning which is carried on. During the past five or six years I have only seen one solitary bird in the district.

Gray Crow, Corvus cornix.—Rather common, but not so numerous as in the South of Ireland. A pair builds every season here in a grove near the shore. Rh