IQO The Irish Naturalist. October, 



Greenshanks and Redshanks could be seen splashing about 

 in ecstacies of delight in the fresh-water rivulet, and appar- 

 ently indulging in a refreshing bath. Sometimes the ablutions 

 of a pair were interfered with by their colliding, whereupon 

 the birds rose to their feet, and with lowered heads, moment- 

 aril}^ sparred like fighting-cocks. 



At 6 o'clock I reached Ashleam Bay, one ot the niariy inlets 

 of the Atlantic-facing side of the island. Here, sheer, barren 

 cliffs form a noble background to Nature's charming marine 

 picture, and yet a gigantic precipice of solid rock, projecting 

 as a great knife-edge, seems as though it would threaten 

 destruction to the occupants of the peaceful waters below. 



To the west, six miles off, I saw through the misty showers 

 the Bills Rocks, where the lordly Great Black-backed Gull 

 brings forth its brood safely, being not seriously disturbed 

 when the gunners of the battleships of the British Fleet use 

 these rocks as a target. 



Southward, could be dimly discerned the outline of some of 

 the Galwa}' islands ; to the north was Dooega Head, capped 

 with a canopy of deep grey clouds. But the day was dull, 

 and much of the grand coast scenery was invisible. I hoped 

 on another day to witness the panoramic view from the Achill 

 coast, where the stupendous precipices form part of " Europe's 

 first barrier against the fury of the Atlantic." 



Scattered on the rocks of Ashleam Ba}-, were many 

 Shags, always an attractive sight, especiall}^ when viewed 

 through a binocular. A flock of Herring-Gulls indulged in 

 extraordinar}^ aerial antics, precipitating themselves, with 

 closed wings, Gannet-like, from a height far above the cliffs^ 

 but, unlike that bird, they stayed their course, spreading their 

 wings before reaching the surface of the water. The ascend- 

 ing flight, which took a spiral path, was also remarkably 

 rapid, though by no means so swift as the downward swoop. 

 This movement was continued for some time, and, from 

 my position on the cliff (half way between the highest and 

 lowest points of flight), the view of the ascending and des- 

 cending birds was an imposing sight. 



This habit is indulged in by other than sea-birds, and the 

 presence of high cliffs seems to offer a peculiar inducement : 

 thus Rooks, Jackdaws, and Choughs swoop and ascend over 



