THE GULL. 433 



the island, a considerable number, at times, as if aware 

 of their security, sought the shelter denied them on the 

 main-land; where, notwithstanding the bare and per- 

 pendicular character of the precipices, there was scarcely 

 a spot among the clefts and hollows to which the young 

 men and boys of the neighbourhood did not find their 

 way, in search of eggs, for which they found a ready 

 demand. 



The main body of Gulls at length finding that these 

 wonted haunts no longer afforded security, either taught 

 by the experience of the above pair, or by their own 

 observation, in the Spring of the sixth year took refuge 

 on the island, chiefly at the south side, on an inclined 

 plane of rock, where they have remained, during the 

 breeding season, ever since; and on this spot, in par- 

 ticular, their artless nests are spread in such numbers, 

 that it is difficult at times, to avoid treading upon them. 

 It is remarkable, however, that only two pair of the 

 Black-backed Gulls, returned, and these, according to their 

 usual habits, not only build apart, but never herd with 

 the rest. Neither have the Razor-bills and Guillemots, 

 re-established themselves in the same abundance, or with 

 the same apparent confidence, which may, in some 

 degree, be accounted for, by the parts of the rock most 

 suited to their habits having been more or less used as 

 landing-places. But although these poor birds have, 

 contrary to the general rule, found a protector in man y 

 they are not entirely without their troubles and an- 

 noyances. Certain Crows (the light-keepers say, a pair 

 only of one particular species, probably the red-legged, 

 Corvus graculus,) come at the same time, and build their 

 nest just opposite the Stack, as if for the express pur- 

 pose of harassing and stealing their eggs. For no 

 sooner do the Gulls begin to lay, than these two Grows 

 are perpetually on the look-out, frequently hovering 

 over, and watching for an opportunity to carry off a 

 prize. 



The moment the thieves appear, the whole Gull co- 



2 F 



