THE SKELLIGS AND SEA-FOWL. 269 



cles, and, like the large Gull last alluded to, flesh 

 when they get the chance. 



THE KITTIWAKE (Larus tridactyhis] nests in 

 vast numbers on the Skelligs in the three prin- 

 cipal caves. They are most interesting in the 

 breeding season. About the beginning of Febru- 

 ary they may be seen to come and view their 

 old nests, to see whether the storms have swept 

 them away. They wheel round the caves a 

 few times and depart. It is not often they can 

 congratulate themselves on finding many in good 

 repair, though some have perhaps stood well. 

 In April their work commences. First there is a 

 general squabble for what nests happen to have 

 remained intact since the previous spring, great 

 chattering and disputing going on all the while. 

 Nodding and chattering ends in biting and fighting. 

 Their passion is aroused ; they dart at each other, 

 and, clinging together, fall and roll sometimes a 

 hundred feet into the sea below. Then comes the 

 struggle which will be uppermost. At length one 

 succumbs, and, relaxing his hold, the victor returns 

 triumphant to the nest. Here his neighbours gather 

 round him, talking and nodding excitedly, as he 

 recounts, we may presume, his exploit and bravery. 



Laying the foundation of a nest is an important 

 and anxious piece of architecture. Wet clay is 

 brought and placed on the small projecting piece of 

 rock, often not more than four inches square. Each 

 time a fresh supply is fetched and laid down, it 

 undergoes a process of hardening and consolidating 

 by the little black feet of the builder. Round and 

 round he tramps, here a little and there a little ; if, as 



