iSS HILLSIDE, ROCK, AND DALE 



can do so, yet some authorities say they do. To 

 look upon this vast feathered crowd, to take note 

 how some birds settle on the backs of those around, 

 and then slowly shuffle and squeeze themselves 

 amongst their fellows, makes one wonder if it is 

 really possible for each to know where their egg 

 is ! It seems to me incredible that they can know, 

 wonderful as their instinct may be. If those sitting 

 near the sides are suddenly alarmed, it is no un- 

 common thing to see several of the large eggs 

 dashed over the rock-side, knocked down by the 

 birds in their excited scramble to leave. The 

 fisherfolk of these parts and fishermen as a rule 

 are very keen observers say that each individual 

 bird always lays an egg of the same colour, and 

 the markings year after year are somewhat similar. 

 They do not simply make the statement, in a way 

 they apparently prove what they say. Thus if an 

 egg is taken from a ledge where only a few birds 

 are breeding, the next one laid where this was 

 taken will as much resemble the first as it is possible 

 for two guillemot's eggs to do. It is also affirmed 

 that the same birds return to the same ledges in each 

 succeeding spring. 



Before the birds on these islands were protected 

 as they now are, boat-loads of sportsmen, as they 

 called themselves devils with guns would be a more 

 appropriate name often visited the Pinnacles and 



