THE BOOK OF MIGRATORY BIRDS 3! 



buried in the churchyard of Bamburgh, the village in 

 which she was born. 



The Inner Fame is the largest of the islands, and to 

 this romantic situation St. Cuthbert retired and lived as a 

 hermit, "far from the madding crowd," for nine years. 

 The two lighthouses and the tower, a square - shaped 

 structure erected by a Prior of Durham, are the only other 

 buildings. The Fames are leased to an association that 

 is interested in the protection and preservation of the 

 species breeding there: 



The Rock Dove (Columba livid). This species can be 

 distinguished from its near relative, the stock dove, by the 

 white rump (instead of blue) and by having black bars on 

 the wing. It nests in a cave below the Pinnacles. 



The Ring Plover (JEgialitis hiaticula). The eggs, four 

 in number, are laid upon the shingle, and are marvellous 

 illustrations of protective coloration ; so closely do they 

 resemble their surroundings that it is extremely difficult 

 even for the trained eye of an ornithologist to distinguish 

 them. The young birds, too, when just hatched, harmonise 

 perfectly w r ith the colour of the sand or shingle upon which 

 tfiey rest. This protection is increased by their remaining 

 perfectly motionless when danger is near. 



The Oyster-catcher (Hazmatopus ostralegus) nests on the 

 shingle on the Wide Opens, and usually lays three eggs, 

 which, like those of the ring plover, closely resemble their 

 surroundings, as also do the young birds. The oyster- 

 catcher, also called sea-pie or olive, has an orange-coloured 

 bill, legs of a flesh colour, and black and white plumage, 

 making it a most conspicuous and handsome bird. 



The Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) nests on the Staples 

 and the Wamses. The eggs of this species are very 

 difficult practically impossible to distinguish from those 

 of the lesser black-backed gull, a very much commoner 

 species on the Fames. Eggs, two or three in number. 



The Sheldrake (Tadorna vulpanser). A species of duck 

 that frequents sandhills and nests in a burrow. It is some- 

 times called burrow duck. 



