MANX SHEARWATER. 655 



does take up his abode there, the number of birds speedily 

 diminishes; and this is shown by the absence at the 

 present period of this species in the Calf of Man, where, in 

 the time of Willughby, and even at a later date, they 

 appear to have been very abundant. This diminution of 

 their numbers is wholly occasioned by the wanton and 

 greedy destruction of their eggs and young, which are 

 eagerly sought after as an article of food, the latter being 

 considered by many a great delicacy, and eaten both fresh 

 and salted. 



On the eastern part of the southern line of our coast this 

 Shearwater is a rare bird; it is more frequently seen at 

 sea off Dorset and Devon, becoming still more numerous 

 farther to the westward. I have been favoured by Mr. 

 D. W. Mitchell with the following account of the habits 

 of this species, as observed by himself off the coast of 

 Cornwall : 



" To the westward of St. Agnes, in the Scilly group, 

 lies a barren island called Annet. Its northern shore is 

 abrupt and craggy, it gradually slopes towards the south, 

 and narrows into a sort of peninsula, where the sandy soil 

 is rich enough to produce a dense growth of short ferns. 

 Here is the strong-hold of the Shearwaters. Sit down on 

 a rock which commands the little territory, and you will 

 see nothing but the Terns, who have a station on the 

 higher and central part of the island, and are making a 

 flight of inquiry very much like the Black-headed Gulls in 

 your vignette, at page 575. Yes, you will see a hundred 

 or two of Oyster-catchers, who do not like your landing 

 so near their nests, and make short journeys hither and 

 thither, whistling all the while like birds possessed. You 

 will see two or three pairs of Turnstones, and a few Ring 

 Dotterel ; perhaps a Curlew. You may wait all a sunny 

 day in June, but not a Shearwater will you see on land or 



