A day's ramble by the sea-shore, 175 



invariably discovered alone, seeming to delight, as it were, in the enjoyment 

 of what some are pleased to term, though 1 question the fact very much, the 

 unalloyed pleasures of single-blessedness. One Ked-breasted Merganser, {Mergus 

 serrator,) a most beautiful male specimen; and three Widgeons, (Mareca 

 penelope,) were also observed. Of the various groups of birds, together with 

 a few solitary individuals, which came under our observation, there were several 

 which we could not satisfactorily identify, but considered them to be Guillemots, 

 or Auks, or Razor-bills. The total absence, as far as we were able to ascertain, 

 of the Rock or Purple Sandpiper, {Tringa maritima,) somewhat surprised us; 

 from the rocky nature of the coast, we did indeed expect to have met with some.- 



An abrupt turn of the path brought us suddenly and unexpectedly within 

 a few yards of a very fine Fulraer, (Procellaria glncialis,) seated on a ledge 

 of rock, but which, on our presenting our swarthy faces, took, not to his heels, 

 but to his wings, and made off. O woe betide the unfortunate morn that we 

 left our homes without a gun! not even a single barrel betwixt us. What 

 could we do then? There was a rare bird, and within easy approach, and 

 yet nothing to procure it with. Why all that we could do was to feast our 

 eyes, as the good old patriarch did when he beheld the melliferous land of 

 Canaan; and this we did do, for his flight, which was performed rather sluggishly, 

 was of short duration, as he again alighted on another rock only a short 

 distance in our rear. The Hooded and 'Carrion Crows, (Corvus comix and 

 C. corone,) appeared rather plentiful and somewhat noisy; several Stonechats, 

 (Saxicola ruhicola,) of both sexes, were also seen: these were hopping amongst 

 the drier parts of the rock, and on the heaps of sea-weed which had been 

 cast on shore. We were ever and anon delighted as we passed along at 

 hearing — our ears as well as our eyes being open and all attention too — the 

 well-known "pees-weep" of the familiar and gorgeous-painted Lapwings, 

 (Vanellus cristatus,) rising from the fields above — sweet harbingers of early 

 spring; we were likewise cheered and gratified beyond expression at beholding 

 the lively little Pipit, (Anthus petrosus,) prancing joyously about, now on 

 the pathway before us, now on a stone behind, now on a grassy knoll on 

 our left, now up heavenwards soaring, on active pinions borne, humming 

 away its vernal song; now down like a dart to some lichen- covered rock close 

 by, there, with tail somewhat raised and wings a little di'ooping, to end its 

 humble note of praise — sure signs these that rosy summer was coming again. 



At the bourn of the Boyne, which lay in our route, we encountered the 

 watchful Water Crow or Dipper, (Cinclus aquaticus,) with his snow-white breast; 

 as also several Pied and Grey Wagtails, {Motacilla alba and M. hoarula.) 

 Of the rapacious gentry, one solitary Kestrel, (Falco tinnunculus,) was all 

 that we had the pleasure of meeting with. Having descended to a creek, we 

 surprised a very large Otter, {Lutra vulgaris,) which, on being disturbed, and 

 no doubt considering us rather suspicious-lookiqg characters, and on that account 

 none of the best company, rushed headlong into the sea, despite all our 

 friendly endeavours to prevent him. "He's gone, he's drowned," exclaimed 



