RAMBLE X. 

 ALONG ROCK-BOUND COASTS. 



ONCE more with our change of scene the birds of 

 our rambles are different. To-day we will wander 

 along the rock-bound coasts ; those mighty bul- 

 warks that rear their stately sea-washed walls in 

 majesty, and offer a harbour and a resting-place 

 to many interesting species. Not only are the 

 lofty cliffs the haunt of birds, but the caves within 

 them, tunnelled out by centuries of ceaseless 

 sea-wash, and the rocky islands separated from 

 the mainland by the waters 7 wear and tear, are the 

 favourite homes of more. The rambler by the sea 

 will be charmed by the glimpses of bird life that 

 are constantly greeting him, as he gets fitful 

 glances at the face of the cliffs, especially if he 

 visits these places between the months of May 

 and August. Indeed, the rock-bound coasts are 

 only seen at their best, so far as bird life is con- 

 cerned, during summer. At all other seasons 

 they are comparatively deserted ; for they are 

 only the nurseries of the great majority of the 

 birds that frequent them. 



Amongst so many things of interest, it is 

 difficult to convey within the narrow limits of 

 these pages even a tithe of their charm. One 



