Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 3 (1899).djvu/511



on the north-west coast of Ireland during August, a few remarks about the bird-life there may be of interest to some of the readers of 'The Zoologist.' Not that they will find any new facts among them, but, by comparing them with notes from other districts, some conclusion may be arrived at as to the movement of birds at this time of year.

The district that I was in was perhaps as wild as any in Ireland, and the cliffs some of the finest in the British Islands. Only those who have seen the sea-birds on these cliffs during May, June, and July have any idea of the swarms that breed there. Of course, in August very few were left, those that were consisting chiefly of Kittiwakes, and the faces of the cliffs were lined in many places by the young birds, nearly all of which were ready to fly; some I did see with a good deal of down, but by far the majority were already commencing to take short flights. The old birds were very fearless, and would almost let you touch them before they would leave the rocks. Puffins I did not find with young on this occasion, although last year about the same time I saw the old birds entering burrows in inaccessible places with their bills full of fry. There were also plenty of young Shags sitting about the rocks, but all able to follow the parent birds. Razorbills and Zool. 4th ser. vol. III., November, 1899.