234 WILD NATURE'S WAYS. 



Mr. Thompson told me that if a common 

 guillemot has the unwisdom to lay her egg on a 

 ledge with such an acute outward slope that 

 even the advantages of its well-adapted shape 

 will not prevent it from rolling away to destruc- 

 tion, she pushes it as far back as possible upon 

 the intrusion of a human visitor, and, by a look 

 of pathetic appeal, plainly asks him to go away 

 and leave her in peace. Should the bird be com- 

 pelled to leave, and the egg in consequence roll 

 over the cliff, she will often dive headlong through 

 the air after her treasure in its mad career towards 

 the sea far below. 



I found puffins rather shy — I think on account 

 of the fact that they were being caught by the 

 tenant of the Craig in nets spread over their 

 breeding holes amongst the rocks. They drive 

 the rabbits from their underground habitations 

 with merciless determination. Several times 

 whilst seated on a boulder making observations 

 after the light of day had grown too weak for 

 photographic purposes I was suddenly startled 

 by the piercing scream of a distressed rabbit 

 ringing out on the still evening air, and found 

 unmistakable evidence of young ones having been 

 killed by the powerful beaks of their feathered 

 persecutors. 



The Fame Islands, off the coast of Northumber- 

 land, are visited every spring by vast numbers 



