262 ]\rr. W. Juigle Clarke— J Motith 



species. It will be well to mention here the Great Shear- 

 waters. These birds were very common tliroughout my visit, 

 but Avere seen in varying numbers ; on some days a few only 

 skimming the waters around the lighthouse, while on others 

 tliey were extremely abundant. When the immense shoals of 

 Pilchards were in the vicinity, I witnessed some interesting 

 scenes in which this species played a leading part, for it dashed 

 into the water in spirited style to secure its prey ; as did also 

 the less agile Gulls, upon whom, in turn, numerous Skuas 

 were in close and pressing attendance. The whole formed 

 a most animated scene ; one whose interest was occasionally 

 further heightened by the presence of a school of small Ceta- 

 ceans, which rolled and jumped about in all directions among 

 the much persecuted fish. The Manx Shearwater was fre- 

 quently seen between the 29th of September and the 14th 

 of October, but was not at all numerous. 



To return to the migratory species among the Laridse. 

 The occurrence of the Great Skua was chronicled on 

 September 23rd, when three examples were observed during a 

 S.E. by S. gale ; single birds were seen on the 1st and 16th of 

 October. The Pomatorhine Skua was very abundant during 

 the period covered by my visit, and was much in evidence 

 when I left. Examples with remarkably developed central 

 tail-feathers, aud others in melanistic plumage, w'ere not un- 

 common. The Arctic Skua was also common, but not nearly 

 so numerous as the last-named species. The abundance of 

 these piratical birds was no doubt due to the presence of 

 vast numbers of Gulls of various kinds, and of these last, in 

 turn, to the great shoals of Pilchards present in the neigh- 

 bourhood of the Eddystone. 



Of the various species of Tern I saw but few examples. 

 This was, no doubt, due to the fact that the vicinity of the 

 reefs, and the deep water that surrounds them, did not afford 

 a suitable fishing-ground. Single examples of the Sandwich 

 Tern were seen on the 25th and 27th of September. A few 

 Common Terns passed on the 22nd, 23rd, 27th, and 28th of 

 September; and on the morning of the 12th of October two 

 Arctic Terns, in the somewhat uncommonly observed stage 



