384 THE GULL. 



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, they are not entirely without their troubles and annoy- 

 ances. Certain Crows (the light-keepers say, a pair only of one 

 particular species, probably the red-legged Chough) come at 

 the same time, and build their nest just opposite the Stack, as 

 if for the express purpose of harassing and stealing their eggs. 

 For no sooner do the Gulls begin to lay, than these two Crows 

 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 colony 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 attitudes, 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, fre- 

 quented 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 herrings, or some similar cause ; 

 but it is positively asserted by the light-keepers as a very extra- 

 ordinary fact that they all instinctively return to the South 

 Stack during the same night, on or about the loth of Feb- 

 ruary ; 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 i2th 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 



