The Birds of Pembrokeshire XXiil. 
the coast to the south of Pembroke; St. Margaret’s Isle, connected 
at low water with Caldy, &c., &c., and the Midland, a small island, 
yet sufficiently large to afford summer pasture to sheep, between 
Skomer and the coast. The Danish names of all the islands in- 
dicate their former occupation by the Danes, who had _ besides 
various settlements upon the sea board of the county. 
Ramsey— Danish, the “ Strong Island.” } 
Taking the islands in order from the north, we have first to i) 
describe the one that, in our opinion, is the most picturesque in its 
rocky scenery, and the brightest in its summer garb of flowers, if 2 Oe) 4 
beautiful Ramsey. To anyone approaching it by land, as he $2 
draws near to St. David’s, its lofty central peaks seem to be the 
boundary of the coast, but he will find that they are separated 
by a channel two miles in width, Ramsey Sound, which he will | 
. have to cross, embarking at the life-boat station, the little har- 
= bour of Portstinnan, Little would he imagine that this now quiet | 
ae and deserted spot was once thronged with numerous ships, and 
% MN ° was an important port in the time of the occupation of Britai 
aa < by the Romans, to whom Menzevia, as they called St. Davi 
§ &- and its adjacent peninsula, was one of their chief stations, ~ 
° whic two of their great military roads convered from the 
eastern side of the kingdom. The passage across to the island 
is usually more easily accomplished than the return, for on the 
suddenly to arise in the afternoon, and then, as the tide always 
runs with tremendous force in the Sound, and the numerous rocks 
below the water cause countless eddies and back currents with 
son’ broken water, locally termed ‘‘shots,” a choppy sea immediately 
esses up, and the row back will be long and arduous, and accom- 
panied by a good wetting. The island was formerly part of the 
great estates attached to the See of St. David’s, and is occupied 
partly as a farm, 200 acres being under cultivation. But the chief 
produce are rabbits that are sent to central markets. There is a 
remarkable absence of any reptiles or vermin, excepting rats, which 
abound, and have been known to make raids upon the eggs of the 
