THE GULL. 383 



nothing but shot or stones could dislodge them. Their deter 

 mined confidence in the security of their stronghold met with 

 its due reward, orders being issued that none should molest 

 them. The consequence was, that in a short time they be- 

 came quite familiarised to the noise and bustle, and remained 

 until their young were reared, and in a condition to shift for 

 themselves. 



In the ensuing spring, the same pair, as was supposed, retook 

 possession of their old post and strict orders, as before, were 

 given on no account to disturb them ; and, as a further pro- 

 tection, no fire-arms were allowed to be used ; nor were strangers 

 who disregarded these rules to be admitted again on the island. 

 In consequence of a rigid attention to these humane regula- 

 tions, the same pair continued, for five successive years, to visit 

 this ledge, rearing their young, consisting generally of two, and 

 never exceeding three in number. But although only this 

 single pair were observed to breed on the island, a consider 

 able number, at times, as if aware of their security, sought the 

 shelter denied them on the mainland ; where, notwithstand- 

 ing the bare and perpendicular 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 expe- 

 rience 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 particular, their artless nests are spread in such num- 

 bers, 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 built 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 



