434 THE GULL. 



lony is in a state of commotion and consternation: those 

 on the nests cowering over their new-laid treasures, 

 while the others, by their screams and menacing atti- 

 tudes, do their best to frighten and drive the marauders 

 away. But the cunning Crows usually gain their point: 

 watching an opportunity, down they pounce, pierce an 

 egg with their sharp beak, and fly off with it in a trice. 



A curious circumstance fell under the observation of 

 the light-keeper. A pair of these Crows had, for some 

 years, frequented the same spot, when, in one season, 

 the female was shot, and the male almost immediately 

 disappeared, remaining absent for the space of three or 

 four days, when he returned with another partner, and 

 the business of nidification was carried on as before. 



The Gulls, at the breeding season so numerous on 

 the island and adjacent coast, disperse themselves for 

 the rest of the year; and are never seen congregated in 

 great numbers, except when attracted by shoals of her- 

 rings, or some similar cause: but it is positively asserted 

 by the light-keepers as a very extraordinary fact, that 

 they all instinctively return to the South Stack during 

 the same night, on or dbout the 10th of February; and 

 retire, with the exception of those that, having been 

 robbed on the main, had resorted to the island to renew 

 the labours of incubation, about the night of the 12th 

 of August. The keepers state that, in the middle of 

 the former night, they are warned of their arrival by a 

 great noise, as it were a mutual greeting and cheering; 

 adding, that they look to their return as that of so 

 many old acquaintances, after a long absence, announ- 

 cing the Winter to be over, and Spring approaching. 

 For a time they appear to congregate together without 

 any order whatever; but in the course of a mouth begin 

 to pair, and getting their nests in readiness, proceed to 

 lay their eggs. As if confident of protection, they 

 become quite familiar; at least this is the case with the 

 Larus canus, or common Gull. 



In one part, a point of rock projects considerably; its 



