. 



128 A YEAR WITH NATURE. 



dry grass. These birds are considered by the inhabitants to 

 be the protectors of their flocks against the Eagles, the King 

 of Birds not being allowed to ' lord it ' in their domain. 



The Lapwing a bird so well-known in the South is 

 also found inhabiting these Islands. Its captivating flight 

 wheeling round and round, then rising and falling in graceful 

 curves and twistings is known to all dwellers in the country. 

 In the representation given the three eggs will be seen to 

 harmonise to a nicety with the surroundings, whilst in the 

 bottom left-hand corner a young fledgling will be observed 

 crouching down in amongst the herbage. The one bird station- 

 ary, and the other in the air makes a most delightful picture. 



There are a good many more birds to be seen on these 

 Islands, both sea and land birds, among them being the Puffin, 

 Fulmar Petrel, Manx Shearwater, Stormy Petrel, Wheatear, 

 Whitethroat, Wren, Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit, Swallow, Twite, 

 Corn Bunting, Skylark, Starling, Hooded Crow, Raven, Short 

 Eared Owl, Kestrel, Shag, Gannet, Wild Duck, Teal, Wigeon, 

 Goldeneye, Rock Dove, Corncrake, Common Snipe, Dunlin, 

 Common Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Black Headed Gull, Red Throated 

 Diver, and last, but not least, the ubiquitous House Sparrow. 



