Natural History of the Island of Rathlin. 61 
with which Rathlin is furnished, render it a desirable situation for a bird like the heron, 
_ whose food consists of small fish; for eels abound on the island, and afford it an easily 
obtained and plentiful supply. The ponds and marshes are for the most part totally 
devoid of planting or other shelter, and surrounded with bleak barren hills, on which 
scarcely a trace of vegetation is to be seen—yet here, on these dreary solitudes, the 
heron may be seen standing in its apparently listless attitude, on a stone at the edge of 
the water, watching for its prey. The heron is gifted with extreme wariness ; and the 
situation it selects here, precludes the possibility of approaching within gun-shot, for it 
can see and be seen from a great distance. On one of the marshes at the southern 
extremity of the island, the water covers the ground to any depth, only after heavy 
rains. Here the marsh is almost entirely covered by the nymphea alba, nuphar lutea, 
and arundo phragmites, the latter of which grows to a considerable height. This is 
the only spot on the island where their nests could be placed, there being no trees, 
their usual resort, during the season of incubation. This affords us another instance 
of the facility with which birds can adapt themselves to situations different from those 
usually selected ; for it is a well known fact, that herons almost invariably place their 
nests at the summit of some lofty trees; yet in such a spot as Rathlin, where no trees 
are to be had, they choose such a situation as I have described. Here the reeds are 
sufficiently tall to enable them successfully to conceal their lurking places ; and the 
ground is so soft as to prevent any disturbance from persons inclined to annoy them. 
A boy told me, that in the summer of 1833, he ran a heron down ; it had, in all pro- 
bability, gorged itself with food, and was unable to make its escape from among the 
reeds and grass. : 
Common Curtew. (Numenius arquata.) The curlew is occasionally seen during 
the summer season, although by no means numerous. In winter, however, they as- 
semble in large flocks; and in severe weather, approach the houses and cultivated 
grounds, in search of food. 
Repsuank Sanppiper. (Totanus calidris.) Isaw only one pair of these birds 
on the island, although I expected to find them much more numerous, the marshes 
and bleak hills being favourite situations. 
Common Sanvpiver. (Totanus hypoleucos.) This bird, like the preceding, I was 
surprised at finding so rarely, having seen only two or three round the shores, and 
never having met with it about the ponds or marshes. 
Common Snipe. (Scolopax gallinago.) On inquiry, I was told that this bird was 
seen only very rarely in winter, and was, therefore, quite unprepared for finding it in 
July ; which, however, I did on the marsh at the southern end of the island. I was 
watching the motions of another bird, when I suddenly heard what I thought was the 
bleating of a goat in the neighbourhood. I looked round—the sound was now before 
me, at one time very loud, and, at the next moment, apparently at the further extre- 
mity of the marsh. After looking frequently around me in vain, I at last heard it so 
VOL. XVII. NN 
