64 J. D. Marsuatt on the Statistics and 
Common Corvorant. (Phalacrocorax carbo.) ‘This bird breeds in the caves 
round the northern coast. 
Crestep Corvorant. (Phalacrocorax cristatus.) We found this corvorant in 
pairs, frequenting the numerous caves with which the northern and western shores of 
Rathlin are indented. They formed their nests on the high ledges of rock, almost 
touching the summit of the caves; the nest was composed of fuci of various kinds» 
matted and plastered together ; the eggs were of a bluish-green colour. We some- 
times, by good management, entered the caves ere the coryorants had left, and at such 
times we found them sitting, with the neck and head thrust over the ledge of rock, 
looking down on the boat as it made its way to the inner extremity of the cave. On 
firing our guns, they would drop into the water as if they had been shot, and, with 
great expertness, dive under the boat, and make their way out to sea. This species 
seemed much more numerous than the preceding. 
Soran Ganner. (Sula bassana.) Occasionally seen fishing in the channel. The 
first time I crossed to Rathlin, two or three pairs were very busily engaged at the fry, 
then passing down along the coast. 
Common Gui. (Larus canus.) ‘This species occupied one of the large natural 
amphitheatres formed on the north-western side of the island, and which seemed to be 
occupied by no other species. ‘Their nests were placed towards the summits of the 
cliffs in situations equally inaccessible from above or below; and, when disturbed, the 
birds would soar away at such a distance as to leave them free and undisturbed by any 
intruder. 
Kirtiwake. (Larus rissa.) This is by far the most common species of gull in 
Rathlin. On all the precipitous headlands north of the Bull, with the exception of a 
few, these birds take up their summer residence ; and they were, during my visit, in 
such countless multitudes, as to darken the air above our heads. I have never wit- 
nessed so great a congregation of birds as along the headlands of Raghery. Every 
pinnacle and ledge of rock was tenanted by the razor-bill, puffin, or kittiwake gull ; 
and, numerous as the others were, the latter far outstripped them innumber. The nests 
were formed of dried grass, sea-weed, &c. ; and the eggs, usually two in number, are 
of a grey colour, blotched and dotted with brown and purple. When I looked down 
from a height on these nests, it appeared wonderful how the birds found room to sit 
and hatch their eggs or tend their young, for five or six nests were placed on a shelf 
of rock so close to each other that the birds sat in contact, and, if not peaceably 
inclined, would have thrown the whole into confusion, and prevented each other 
from fulfilling the process of incubation. Yet they all seemed to live in harmony ; 
and, except when one unintentionally occupied a nest not its own, (which very rarely 
happened, ) they never attempted to disturb one another. The young, when first ex- 
cluded from the shell, are covered with a greyish down, intermixed with white. Their 
food consisted chiefly of fry. For two or three miles along the base of these cliffs the 
