74 The Oologists Record, Dscembef 1, 1923. 



sound of the crying Kittiwakes grew fainter and fainter. Thirty- 

 five minutes later a faint outline appeared ahead of us, which grew 

 bolder as we approached, and there stood Grassholm Island. 



It made a fine pictuie, with its green grass-covered top and bold 

 rocky sides sloping down steeply to the sea. 



As we approached we could see the Gannets wheeling and 

 fishing, sending up jets of spray which sparkled in the sunlight^ as 

 they dropped like stones into the water. 



Looking astern we could see nothing of Skokham Island or the 

 mainland, everything being blotted out in the haze. 



Out here the sun was shining brilliantly, which changed the 

 whole aspect of the place. 



A number of Grassholm's Town Councillors came out to welcome 

 us in the form of Fraterctda arctic a, but no sooner had these little 

 Puffins given us the freedom of the city than they disappeared from 

 sight. However, we discovered three grey seals fishing on the 

 Western side of the island, and here, after great difficulty^ we landed 

 in a small gully at 4.15 p.m. 



We had hoped to land not later than 3 p.m. just before the turn 

 of the tide, or what is known as " slack water," when the heave and 

 swell of the sea is at its minimum. 



Owing to a strong current off Skokham Island, which forced 

 us into the Milford Haven bight, we were an hour late in landing, 

 and, although the gully where we made fast was on the lee side of 

 the island, the swell was tremendous. 



We made a line fast to the bow and stern of the launch and 

 dragged the small punt up the rocks out of harm's way. Every 

 fifteen minutes or so we had to return to the launch and take in 

 the slack of the lines as the tide rose. To anchor off here was 

 impossible. The least depth is forty-eight feet, with a rock bottom, 

 and the whole place is beset with tide-rips and overfalls. 



The island, which is uninhabited, lies about ten miles to the 

 North-West of Milford Haven, being about twenty-one acres in 

 extent, and one hundred and forty-six feet high. It was till recently 

 the property of Lord Kensington, who let it to Mr. J. Neale, and 

 everything possible was done to protect the birds. 



The bold, rocky sides of Grassholm slope steepl}^ down to the 

 water, and are covered with slippery seaweed up to the flood-tide 



