xxvi YORKSHIRE PHYSICAL ASPECT. 



under the ledges of the cliffs, and a few swifts in the crevices, 

 whilst on the broken ground at the summit the rock pipit breeds 

 somewhat commonly. Mingled with the sea-fowl breed innumer- 

 able starlings and jackdaws, and a pair or two of carrion crows 

 nest annually, the sable hues of this bird, and of its congener the 

 jackdaw, forming a striking contrast to the delicate plumage of 

 the kittiwakes. The hooded crow has also occasionally remained 

 to nest ; and the highest portions of the cliffs are frequented 

 by the peregrine, but, although the birds are always present in 

 the season, it is uncertain whether they succeed in breeding 

 annually, as one of them usually falls a victim to the gun. 



The immense abundance of sea-fowl on these cliffs, and the 

 ease with which they can be approached by means of boats, 

 formerly led to their merciless slaughter for so-called sport and to 

 supply the exigencies of fashion, and for years the locality was 

 the scene of so much destruction that some of the species were 

 at last utterly driven away, and others greatly diminished in 

 number. This wanton cruelty was as a matter of fact the 

 direct cause of the passing of the Sea Bird Preservation Act of 

 1869. The effects of that salutary measure have been most 

 marked. The kittiwakes, which had become extremely scarce, are 

 now quite numerous, and the cormorant, which had been entirely 

 banished, has now again taken up its old breeding quarters, though 

 as yet only to the extent of a pair or two. Among the species 

 which formerly bred at Flamborough may be mentioned the shag 

 and the raven, the former of which some few years prior 

 to 1844 used to nest annually on the rocks, but now it breeds 

 no nearer than the Fame Islands, and there only singly and 

 irregularly. 



The chalk cliffs attain their highest elevation of 436 feet at 

 Buck ton cliffs, declining thence eastward to 250 feet at the 

 point of the headland, where the lighthouse is situated. 



From its favourable geographical situation and bold physical 

 aspect, the headland of Flamborough is famed as affording in the 

 autumn a resting-place for many uncommon birds such as the 

 long-tailed duck, common, pomerine, and Richardson's skuas, the 

 shearwaters, grebes, and petrels occurring annually. 



