196 The Irish Natiiralist. October 



hither and thither in search of food. Half way down the 

 mountain my attention wa.s arrested b}^ the appearance of a 

 Fox. He was a fine fellow, fully grown, and as he scampered 

 down the hillside scattering a flock of sheep on his way, he 

 displayed the white of his "brush" admirably. It was 

 delightful to see him quietl)^ but steadily beat his retreat on 

 this vast open tract, so different from the terror-stricken 

 victim which dashes across half-cultivated lawns to escape the 

 fatal clutches of the blood-thirst}^ huntsmen and hounds. 

 Nearing the Cathedral Cliffs, two Ravens flew past, appearing 

 smaller than Jackdaws against the stu23endous rock}^ pre- 

 cipices. Reaching Keel strand we bathed, the cold sting of 

 the ocean water proving most exhilarating. The Common 

 and Herring Gulls on the strand were remarkably tame ; while 

 an immature Great Black-backed Gull came so close, that^ 

 with the sun shining on its back, the pattern of its chequered 

 plumage could easily be made out. It was now four o'clock 

 in the afternoon, and, having halted for half a hour to rest and 

 eat our sandwiches, we passed through Dukinelly village, 

 where from a field two Hooded Crows and two Choughs arose, 

 and the shrill cry of a Merlin sounded from the adjoining 

 turf-bog. We then marched back along the main road reaching 

 the Sound about 8 o'clock, p.m. 



Monday, Septeiabcf \6fh. — The day was wet and misty, and 

 neither camera nor binocular were of mrxh service. I did 

 not venture far afield. 



Ttiesday, September I'jth. — Another wet and mist}' day, on 

 which it was useless to take the camera. The greater part 

 of the day was sp'?nt along the beach at Ashleam Ba}^ 

 Rock-Pipits were numerous, while a Robin was perched on a 

 boulder near the water's edge, a curious vSpot in which to see 

 this familiar species. Here, also, I had a fine view of nine 

 Rock-Doves, which flew, at a considerable height above the 

 cliffs, out to sea. On the return route, I noticed several 

 Rock-Doves and a pair of Choughs in a field, also numerous 

 Yellow-Hammers and a flock of Twites. A soft, relaxing 

 mist, which settled down in the afternoon, prevented further 

 observations being made, and to add to this misfortune, we 

 were troubled with swarms of midges, which pursued us even 

 into the house. 



