IRISH COAST. (continued 2)
Reading edition
Copeland (Mew) Island.—April 22d, two. August 3d, one and six young ones. 7th, one struck lantern 11 P.M.; wounded; very dark; wind light.
Rathlin Island.—April 3d, noon, three Eider Duck drifting W. 16th, seventeen Eider Duck on the water; wind light N. "The Eider Duck was seen here sixteen years ago." June 7th, two Sheldrake.
Tory Island.—Wild Duck, eight to ten, noted February 3d, March 17th and 30th, coming from N., going S.
Arranmore.—April 19th, two going N.W.
Rathlin O'Birne.—December 31st, four on island; wind fresh S.E.; misty; one shot.
Broadhaven.—December 26th, flock Wild Duck.
Arran Island, N.—January 14th, twelve Wild Duck; 21st, nine. April 24th, seven.
Samphire Island.—January, February, and March, Barnacle and Wild Duck; they leave last week in April.
"Merganser."
Dungarvan.—November 25th, five fishing in bay. December 29th, two.
Birds not Identified.
Coningbeg Light-ship.—October 8th, 11 A.M., "two birds, fifty yards from ship, feeding on the water; light grey on back, and body white and black; bill from 1½ to 2 inches long."
Barrels Rock Light-ship.—October 4th, "A strange bird rested and flew N. It was about size of a Blackbird, had white wings and a white breast. Could not catch it."
Bats.
Fastnet.—October 3d, one seen; sleeps in cleft on rock.
Late in the autumn an immigration of the Greater Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopus major, Linn.) occurred. It is a very rare visitor to Ireland, and although not obtained at any light station the following records may be of interest:—
November 27th, one at Kilkeel, Co. Down. A second near Newry, Co. Down, about same date. A third at Glasslough, Co. Monaghan (see Zoologist, 1887, p. 75). A fourth at Newcastle, Co. Wicklow, in February 1887. This species is also recorded from Northumberland on 18th and 20th October.