Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 4 (1900).djvu/413

Rh air are of continual occurrence, but, as a rule, they do not appear to be attended with much bloodshed.

The Carrion-Crow (Corvus corone) breeds on the island, and is not uncommon. After the young have left the nest, twelve or more of these birds may be seen together. The Rev. H.G. Heaven, proprietor of the island, told me that a few years ago one or two Hooded Crows (C. cornix), usually only autumn and winter visitors, remained during the summer, and he thought that they interbred with the Carrion-Crows. This supposition is in a measure confirmed by the fact that I saw several birds on the island which to all appearance were hybrids between the Carrion and Hooded Crows.

The Jackdaw (C. monedula) is only a visitor, as is also the Rook (C. frugilegus), and neither species has been known to breed on the island; while the Chough (Pyrrhocorax graculus), formerly common, has now been quite exterminated. Their final disappearance is said to be due to the persecution they received from the men who some years ago were engaged in quarrying granite on the eastern side of the island. One of the islanders told me that in former years he often saw small flocks of Choughs flying about the fields, but that they no longer nested on the island. The price which may be obtained for the skins and eggs of these birds has done much towards banishing them from many of their former haunts, but I believe a few pairs may still be found on some parts of the Devonshire coasts.

Of the smaller land birds, the commonest, during my visit, were perhaps the Linnet (Linota cannabina), Wheatear, Skylark, and Meadow Pipit; while the House-Sparrow, formerly only a visitor, has now established a flourishing colony on the buildings of the Manor Farm.

The following birds I also identified on Lundy during my short stay:—Song-Thrush, Blackbird, Whinchat, Stonechat, Greater Whitethroat, Willow-Wren, Hedge-Sparrow, Wren, Yellow Wagtail, Rock-Pipit, Swallow, House-Martin, Sand-Martin, Goldfinch, Yellow Bunting, Cirl Bunting, Starling, Swift, Cuckoo, Cormorant, Shag, Corn-Crake, Lapwing, Golden Plover, Dunlin (the last two birds both in breeding plumage), and Oystercatcher.

The Manx Shearwater (Puffinus anglorum) is also well known