FARNE ISLANDS AND THEIR BIRDS 165 



the rocks. Tree-pipits had a nest of young on the 

 grassy slope which ascends from the only landing- 

 place these were always interesting. There are 

 many rabbits on the island, and these would some- 

 times go near the tree-pipit's nest, and we had ocular 

 proof of the pipits being plucky little birds. Once 

 one of them flew at a rabbit, settled on its head while 

 it was running, and inflicted a few vigorous pecks, 

 after which it gave one or two drives with its little 

 beak into the animal's back, and then left the poor 

 bolting bunny more scared than hurt. All rabbits 

 which came too near their nest were attacked, and it 

 was pretty to see these bold birds looking diminu- 

 tive enough by the larger animals scolding and 

 fluttering at the rabbits-; 



The rabbits were of a very mixed breed ; there 

 were several colours brown, black, white, a kind 

 of pale blue or grey, sandy, and some other shades, 

 some of which were very curious. One having black 

 ears and nose, while the body was white, was evi- 

 dently the belle of the colony, for she seemed to 

 have more admiring followers than others. I must 

 not forget to mention one other important animal 

 a donkey, which roamed over the island and seemed 

 to consider himself monarch of his rocky home. 

 This was no ordinary donkey in fact, he was the 

 most extraordinary member of his species I have 

 ever seen. His chief delight was to drink beer and to 



