for three months, then a fuller avifauna of the Swiss birds would have been furnished. Inasmuch as all observations were made in summer, it was not possible to compare the relative differences in the numbers of the winter visitants common to the two countries.
Order Accipitres.
Accipiter nisus, Linn. Sparrow-Hawk.[1]—Somewhat uncommon.[2] Was observed for the most part in the valley of Chamonix. Common throughout Ireland. In the Swiss form the stripes on the breast are more defined, and, according to M. Gerbe,[3] there is a local species found in Switzerland and in Germany (A. major) larger in size, and the bands on the feathers of the tail are darker and more numerous. Other minor differences also exist.
General distribution.—Common in every country in Europe, in many parts of Asia, China, East Africa, and India.
Milvus ictinus, Sav. Kite.—Three were noticed soaring over Lake Geneva on different occasions. They came under close observation, and, with the aid of a powerful binocular, their forked tails—a characteristic feature—could be distinguished. In this way the species was easily identified. Extremely rare in Ireland. According to the late A.G. More,[4] it has only been observed five or six times. The specimen obtained by Sir R. Payne Gallwey[5] seems as yet to be the only one known. This was shot in 1880-1881 on the Cashen river, in Kerry. The writer describes the bird as flying "in swooping and almost wing-motionless curves, the tail first slanted this way, then that, as it acted rudder to the bird's flight."
General distribution.—Common in most parts of Europe south of Norway to the Mediterranean. According to Yarrel,[6] the Kite does not breed north of lat. 61°. It occurs also in Egypt, Palestine, Algeria, and the Canaries.
- ↑ It was curious that the common Kestrel was not observed.
- ↑ In the following list it must be understood that the occurrence of the birds in Switzerland is noted in each case before their occurrence in Ireland.
- ↑ Revised edition of 'Ornithologie Européenne' of the late Dr. Degland.
- ↑ 'List of Irish Birds,' 1890, p. 6.
- ↑ 'Fowler in Ireland,' p. 307.
- ↑ 'British Birds,' vol. i. p. 96.
