292 THE BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



ordinar}'; in one Irish colony a dozen pairs nested in 1913, 

 but two years later there were over a hundred. Beyond our 

 islands the range extends northward to the Arctic seas. Except 

 during the nesting season — roughly May to August— the bird 

 comes little to land ; it is an oceanic wanderer, but during 

 winter a few may be seen well off shore in our southern seas, 

 and occasionally a bird is storm driven inland. Some birds 

 return early to the neighbourhood of the colonies, or even 

 linger in the north all winter. 



The Fulmar, with its grey back and white head and under 

 parts, is not unlike a large gull, but the bill, with its tubular 

 nostrils, is that of a petrel. But the most skilful gull cannot 

 compete wiih it, for "the Fulmar flying free" is one of the 

 easiest, most graceful, and powerful of sea-birds. From time 

 to time it takes a few strong strokes, but for the most part its 

 flight is clever steady sailing with wings more outstretched than 

 those of any gull, steady as the wings of an aeroplane. It 

 sweeps round in huge arcs, catching the wind with the flne, 

 almost imperceptible adjustments of the soaring bird, yet rising 

 to no great height. Without effort it sails in the teeth of a 

 gale that drives the great Atlantic rollers shoreward ; it swoops 

 into the trough, sweeps up to the crest, swings over at right 

 angles, the tip of one wing just clearing the wave. Its neck 

 looks short ; it is compact and well proportioned, gleaming 

 white against a green sea or lowering sky. When approaching 

 St. Kilda I saw Fulmars immediately beyond the Sound of 

 Harris, and the numbers increased mile by mile, until the air 

 was full and the water dotted with the graceful birds. 



St. Kilda exists more upon Fulmar than any of its other 

 fowl ; the bird provides oil and feathers for rent, food for 

 winter consumption, and, since the islanders realised that 

 collectors would pay, eggs for dealers. For centuries the bird 

 has been exploited, but in spite of the annual Fulmar harvest 

 the area is congested, and without doubt the new colonies are 



