MAT 1902. 



DECEMBER in May fitly describes the prevailing state of 

 the weather during this month. Chilling winds, accompanied 

 by snow, hail, or sleet showers, engender doubts as to the 

 veracity of the calendar, but the arrival of a number of terns 

 on the 18th dispels all doubts upon the matter. Sojourning 

 in Africa since their departure in September, they invariably 

 make their appearance here in May. At present there are 

 about thirty of these energetic little birds busy diving among 

 the breakers, picking up small fry, among which is seen inch 

 long sand eels. A flock of kittiwake gulls also hunt along- 

 side of them, while several gannets are to be seen further off, 

 plunging in pursuit of larger game. Clustered in sheltering 

 nooks of the rock are numerous patches of ova, deposited by 

 the white whelk. Closely resembling ears of wheat in size 

 and shape, each is attached to the rock by a short footstalk, 

 terminating in a flattened disc. On being pressed, a milky 

 fluid, somewhat granular, is exuded from the free end. The 

 whelks themselves are at present feasting on limpets, whose 

 shells have been fractured by the debris consequent on the 

 alterations in progress, though at other times they do not 

 appear to attack the limpets, their thick shells possibly making 

 the game not worth the candle. 



Despite the inclemency of the weather, the work in 

 connection with the alterations is being rapidly pushed for- 

 ward. The removal of the old lantern and parapet wall 

 turned out a more laborious undertaking than the erection of 

 the new ones. Strength and stability were the outstanding 

 features of the old erection, and were* carried to such an 

 extent as would probably be considered superfluous in these 

 days. The stone parapet wall would in itself be an eye-opener 



