Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 6 (1902).djvu/43

Rh cases there is a nearly perpendicular rock face or turf slope; this enables the birds to get on the wing readily. I tried to find out if the Shearwater stands on its foot (toes and webs) alone, or on its foot and tarsus, but without coming to a perfectly satisfactory conclusion. But my impression is that when a Shearwater is standing still, on land, it rests on the foot and tarsus; but when it runs forward a few steps to get on the wing, it rises on to its feet. Birds which I held by the tips of the extended wings moved in this way, but declined to remain still. And two that were sent to me once in an open box (from which they could not rise) were always squatted down, until I liberated them.

The avifauna of Bardsey is not unlike that of Lambay Island, off the opposite coast of Ireland, but further north (vide Zool. 1882, p. 155). Of the forty-four species in Mr. Hart's list, I have seen twenty-seven in Bardsey, and all the others (except the Twite, Hooded Crow, Rock-Dove, Black Guillemot, and perhaps the Ring-Dove) very probably occur. In respect of the last named allowance must be made for the different character of the respective mainlands. The Carrion-Crow is naturally replaced on Lambay by the Hooded Crow, although the latter is stated to have been very rarely seen in that part of Ireland at that date. The Black Guillemot formerly bred on Lambay; indeed, a few pairs are said to breed still, as well as on Ireland's Eye, and perhaps at Howth and Wicklow Head, still nearer Bardsey ('Birds of Ireland'). Yet we have no record of it breeding on Bardsey, or in any part of Lleyn.

Of the forty species seen on Bardsey, twenty-seven occur in the Lambay list; and of the other thirteen, one (the Chough) formerly bred there, and the rest (save the Carrion-Crow, Turtle-Dove, and Stock-Dove) are all common Irish birds. The Turtle-Dove is as rare in Lleyn as in Ireland. Part of the (limited) breeding range of the Stock-Dove in Ireland (Wicklow) lies just opposite Bardsey.

Zool. 4th ser. vol. VI., January, 1902.