MR SELBY'S NOTICE OP BIRDS OBSERVED IN JULY 1832. 19 



food. As we walked along the heights I observed the kestrel (Falco 

 tinnunculus) hovering in his characteristic manner in search of prey, 

 and I have little doubt, but that he finds a secure site for his eyrie in 

 some of the adjoining cliffs. Three or four carrion crows ( Corvus co- 

 rone) were also observed upon the rocks, but too wary to admit of our 

 approach within gun-shot ; the eggs, and young of the sea-fowl, had, in 

 all probability, attracted these depredators to such an unwonted locality. 

 Three ravens ( Corvus corax) the largest and noblest species of the ge- 

 nus, were also disturbed by our approach, and after soaring around, and 

 attaining a considerable elevation, moved inland, uttering at intervals 

 their loud and raucous croak. Before I enumerate the sea-fowl or a- 

 quatics, I must not omit the rock-pigeon ( Columba livia\ which inha- 

 bits and breeds in the numerous caves which perforate the rocks in dif- 

 ferent directions. This species is the original stock from which the 

 various varieties of our common dovecot pigeon are derived ; it is found 

 in similar situations upon the British coast, but never inland the bird 

 with which it was confounded ( Columba CEnas) being perfectly distinct, 

 and possessing habits approaching more closely those of the cushat or 

 ring-dove (Columba palumbus). Upon the ledges of the rocks the 

 guillemots ( Una troile) and razor-bills (Alca torda) were seen in great 

 numbers, ranged in order, tier above tier, and looking at a distance like 

 armies of pigmies : these upon the least alarm utter their peculiar curring 

 kind of note, which, when mixed with the screams of the sea-gull and 

 kittiwake, and heard from a distance, or softened by the murmur of the 

 waves, produces a wild, though not disagreeable, species of concert, well 

 according with the nature of the scenery which surrounds them. These 

 birds each lay a single egg, of a large size and peculiar shape, being 

 broad and round at one end, and tapering rapidly at the other, a form 

 that prevents it from rolling or moving to any distance, even when 

 placed on an inclined plane. The puffin or coulterneb (Fratercula arc- 

 tica) perhaps as well or better known to us by the name of Tommy-Nod y, 

 also finds appropriate holes wherein to deposite its eggs. It does not ap- 

 pear, however, to be numerous, as only two or three individuals were 

 seen during the excursion. This bold headland is also the great breed- 

 ing station of the Larus canus or common sea-maw ; it affects the up- 

 per ledges, and recesses of the precipices, and was observed in great 

 numbers, but so shy as not to be approached within gun-shot The 

 Larus rissa> or kittiwake, is also numerous, but does not breed in 

 company with the other ; selecting in preference the small projecting 

 angles, which barely admit of room for the reception of their eggs 

 and young. As we returned seaward in the boat, several green cor- 

 morants (Phalacrocorax cristatus) were seen perched upon the pin- 

 nacles of the smaller isolated rocks, surveying with keen and watchful 

 eyes our progress ; and always too much upon the alert, to permit us to 

 approach within gun-shot. The common cormorant (Phalacrocvrax 



