BIRD-LIFE AS OBSERVED AT SKERRYVORE LIGHTHOUSE 27 



LONG-EARED OWL, Asio otus. One seen resting on the rock on 

 1 2th Nov. 1906. 



PEREGRINE FALCON, Falco peregrinus. One captured on the 

 lantern on 26th Sept. 1903. 



MERLIN, Falco tzsalon. An occasional visitor in September. 



CORMORANT, Phalacrocorax carbo. Always present around the 

 rock from August till February or March. When the breeding 

 season comes round they all leave, but it is not uncommon 

 to see one on a fishing expedition during the spring and 

 summer. During stormy weather, when the Atlantic billows 

 are having some gentle exercise, and covering all reefs and 

 rocks to a depth of from 20 to 50 feet, the Cormorants dis- 

 appear for a time, but whenever the weather improves they 

 return at once. They do most of their fishing quite close to 

 the rock, where the water is shallow, and apparently make a 

 good living, at least one would infer so when they spend the 

 winter in such a locality. 



SHAG, Phalacrocorax gracutus.Wha.t has been written about the 

 Cormorant applies also to the Shags, only the latter are to be 

 seen in greater numbers and do not seem to be so afraid of 

 man's presence, since they rest very frequently on the lighthouse 

 rock, and more than once have tried to take up their quarters 

 for the night in the windows, a proceeding always decidedly 

 objected to by the lightkeepers. The Cormorant never comes 

 near the tower. 



GANNET, Sula bassana. The Solan is to be seen practically all the 

 year round. Towards the end of November and in December 

 one is rarely seen, but in January a few are daily seen, gradually 

 increasing in numbers as the season advances. The numerous 

 shoals in the vicinity are swarming with fish, and hospitably 

 entertain passing Solans. We must admit that Nature never 

 makes mistakes, but when I see these birds feeding I cannot 

 help feeling that there is something wrong when they require 

 so much food : it seems a waste of good material. I have 

 carefully watched them, singling out one bird, and have seen it 

 make 25 dives in 30 mins., every time, as far as I could 

 judge, securing its prey, and each fish would weigh from 4 to 

 6 oz. This goes on the whole day long, from an hour before 

 sunrise to an hour after sunset. I have seen them fishing on a 

 clear night, diving from a height of 20 or 30 ft., one hour 

 after sunset. The Cormorant and Shag bring their captures to 

 the surface before swallowing ; the Solan swallows its catch 

 under water. Only once have I seen the fish in its bill above 

 water, and this was when, instead of diving, it merely skimmed 

 through the surface amongst a shoal of podleys. After paying 



