BIRD-LIFE UPON THE CLIFFS. 221 



Bay, located in the lofty masses of weather-beaten 

 red cliff, and very interesting they are to the lover 

 of birds. At all times of the year their actions well 

 repay observation. There is one large colony in 

 the range of cliffs at Goodrington Sands, the same 

 rocks to which we have just alluded in our remarks 

 upon the Kestrel. Here at the summit of the 

 cliffs is a secluded pathway upon which we often 

 stand and watch the noisy birds come home to 

 roost. They spend the greater part of the day 

 upon the inland fields, but towards dusk assemble 

 in a scattered flock and return to the cliffs. 

 Frequently, before finally settling, they chase and 

 buffet each other with a great uproar of cackling 

 notes, sweeping past the face of the cliffs, then 

 ascending high into the air, their cries ringing out 

 in fitful peals, as if at some preconcerted signal. 

 In springtime the scene becomes even more ani- 

 mated ; the rocks are not so completely deserted 

 during the daytime, and at the least alarm the 

 birds leave the cliffs in a noisy throng, pouring out 

 from the holes and crevices into the air to flutter 

 and circle about or stand on every little prominence, 

 filled with excitement and alarm. Many of the 

 nests here must be of the most rudimentary propor- 



