AT THE SOUTH STACK. 403 



tions with the most perfect unconcern, permitting an observer 

 to enter fully into their domestic arrangements. 



At our last visit, closely jammed in a lateral niche, just 

 opposite, sat seventy-two Guillemots, all bowing their heads 

 at each other, with a gravity and solemnity quite unaccount- 

 able. On they went for above a quarter of an hour without 

 intermission ; each nodding slowly to its neighbour, who, 

 with equal composure, nodded as slowly in return. Now and 

 then, on another ledge, one or two would come in from a 

 short excursion, and jostling the whole line, send a dozen or 

 two backwards over the dizzy height, croaking disapprobation 

 at the intruders, who took the vacant places, utterly disregard- 

 ing the confusion they had caused. It was impossible at first 

 sight to divest oneself of an involuntary shudder, as they 

 tumbled backwards headlong into the abyss, where the sea 

 was roaring and lashing the rocks below them, their squat 

 plump bodies supported only by such comparatively dis- 

 proportion ed wings. One felt at every moment a sort of 

 rising exclamation, " Ah, poor bird, nothing can save it ; it 

 must be killed ! " when, flapping its little pinions, away it 

 went, cleaving the air, making its circuit of a mile or so, skim- 

 ming now and then over the sea, but never touching the waves, 

 and then rejoining its friends on the ledge, and in its turn 

 jostling the line, and causing a similar ejectment of half-a-dozen 

 others. In these solitary flights, however, they now and then 

 meet with unpleasant adventures, as certain Hawks inhabiting 

 the mainland occasionally make a dash at them. One day, the 

 light-keepers were witnesses of one of these curious rencontres. 



The Hawk was seen in full chase of a Razor-bill ; he seized 

 the unfortunate bird by the head with both his claws, and 

 made towards the land, his prisoner croaking, screaming, and 

 struggling lustily ; and, being a heavy bird, so far incommoded or 

 over-balanced its aggressor, that both descended fast towards the 

 sea, when, just as they touched the water, the Hawk let go his 

 hold and ascended, the Razor-bill as instantaneously diving below. 



Amidst the myriads of old ones, we looked in vain for any- 

 thing like a corresponding number of young, but scarcely a 

 single individual was to be seen. It is true that the females 



