FRAGMENTS FROM THE SEASHORE. 235 



of sea-fowl on breeding intent, and some of the 

 happiest hours of my ornithological life have 

 been spent, whilst living free from the restraints 

 of convention, in the ruins of St. Cuthbert's 

 Tower, on the innermost of the group, and 

 watching the birds. Unfortunately, the time 

 limit of fifteen minutes with the birds, which 

 it has been found necessary to impose upon 

 visitors, has rendered it almost useless for the 

 serious student to waste his money in journeying 

 to the place. 



It is the only station round the English coast 

 where eider ducks still breed, and protection 

 has apparently filled the birds with so much 

 confidence in the good intentions of mankind at 

 this particular season that you may stroke them 



