FALCON RAZOR-BILL. 275 



the bird had been over to the Irish coast for a new 

 partner. The night of the 12th of August, the 

 light-keepers' say, is the time of departure of these 

 birds, excepting those that have been robbed on 

 the main, who come over and make their second 

 building in the island, which causes them to be 

 later. 



It is a fact, that only one pair of falcon hawks 

 were ever seen to build in the neighbourhood, and 

 the spot they inhabit is opposite the rock, which 

 brings them frequently in view of the light-keepers, 

 particularly when in chase of their prey. This 

 they will pursue until they come over the land, and 

 then give a knock-down blow, which has often 

 happened when over the island. At one time the 

 hawk was observed in chase of one of the razor- 

 bills, which are never found above the land, and his 

 sagacity was remarkable, for instead of the usual 

 death-blow, he fixed both his claws round the poor 

 bird's head, and made towards the land, but the 

 prisoner screaming and struggling, and being a 

 heavy bird, both descended fast, the hawk held on 

 until the other touched the water, when they parted, 

 (no doubt, by mutual consent) the former ascend- 

 ing, and the latter diving below. 



About sixty years ago an American ship was 

 lost on the sound between the rock and the main, 

 when a great number of rats of an uncommonly 

 large size came upon the island, where their pro- 



