712 THE BIRDS OF YORKSHIRE. 



Towards the end of April they take up their quarters for the 

 season, the first eggs being laid in May ; the earliest that 

 the cliff-climbers have known were seen on the 6th. Some 

 years ago they were common by the second week, though the 

 usual period is about the third week in the month. 



By the middle or end of August most of the Guillemots 

 have left the cliffs and dispersed over the sea along the coast, 

 where they are found in more or less abundance during the 

 remainder of the year. Although this species is more a 

 wanderer than a migrant, there can be no doubt that a partial 

 migration takes place, many of our Yorkshire birds probably 

 going further south, whilst their places are taken by others 

 from northern stations. On 22nd August 1881, great numbers 

 of young Guillemots were noticed off the Humber ; and, 

 when at sea off Redcar in the autumn, I have frequently seen 

 flocks passing for days continuously, to the south-east, in 

 small parties of from three or four to twenty. In winter 

 storms many are cast ashore, and occasionally they are driven 

 inland, being reported from localities far removed from salt 

 water. In the " Correspondence of Dr. Richardson of North 

 Bierley " (p. 212), is an interesting remark, contained in a 

 letter to Dr. Sherard, and dated " 7th January 1724-25," 

 as follows : " About the middle of last March was brought 

 me Lommia hoieri, called at Flamborough Head (about 

 two miles from Burlington), Whillocks, where they breed 

 in great quantities. This bird was found alive [on a moor] 

 four miles from hence, and fifty miles from the sea : it was 

 brought hither alive, very brisk, and in good feather." 



The practice of climbing, or " dimming " as the local term 

 goes, for sea-fowl' eggs, as carried out on the Yorkshire cliffs, 

 has often been described, though not always with strict 

 accuracy ; some particulars of this interesting and daring 

 pursuit, which I have many times taken part in, may be accept- 

 able, and, with the aid of illustrations, I hope to make it per- 

 fectly clear. The right of gathering the eggs belongs to the 

 farmers tenanting the adjacent lands, and this privilege is con- 

 ceded to the men who work for them when egging is out of 

 season. * 'dimming" is a very ancient institution, having been 



