XXViil. The Birds of Pembrokeshire. 
central part of which is occupied by several islands, varying in size 
and appearance, the most important of them being the one nearest 
to the observer, distant about fifteen miles, known as Grasholm, and 
the one farthest from him, distant about twenty-one miles, distin- 
guished, as may be observed in fine clear weather, by a slender, tall, 
pointed tower, known as the Smalls Lighthouse. 
The geographical position of these islands may perhaps be more 
accurately described by saying that they lie almost in a straight line 
bearing west-three-quarters-north from Skomer Island. The distance 
from Skomer to Grasholm is six miles; on the same course, three 
miles farther on is a cluster of half-tide rocks called the Barrels, 
and from the Barrels four miles still further westward is reached the 
Smalls Lighthouse. About half-way between the Barrels and the 
Smalls lie the Hats, a group of sunken rocks, with eight feet of 
water over them at low tide. Around these islands and rocks, as if 
to make some of them still more perilous, is deep water, and between 
them very strong currents set, in many places forming dangerous 
‘‘races.” Grasholm, however, being of sufficient size, divides these 
currents, so that a triangular space of dead water is formed on its 
northern and southern sides. 
From Porthclais, the seaport of St. David’s, Grasholm bears 
south-west-by-west-three-quarters-west, and is distant from it about 
twelve miles. On approaching the island it appears to be more or 
less conical in shape; the surface slopes down from north to south, 
and is fairly covered with green rank grass. Seen from the north 
the cliff is precipitous, its top being occupied by the chief Gannet 
colony ; on some of the ledges and in the clefts are many other nests. 
From the top of the cliff up to the grassy summit, all available and 
suitable spots are occupied by Kittiwakes and other birds. On the 
east side of the island, close to a half-tide rock, is a sort of cleft or 
cave, where, in fine weather, landing is practically easy, and on the 
southern side is a deep gully, forming a small natural harbour, with 
a shelf of rock on one side, upon which a boat can be easily hauled 
up. The outer, or western side, being exposed to the western 
ocean, is, as may be expected, the more weathered and eroded, and 
offers no facilities for landing. From the southern end the ascent is 
