ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES. 63 



surpassing ornithological interest. This face of the 

 rock was positively peopled hy birds of many kinds, 

 but still the same rule of locality and distinctive 

 position of each kind was adhered to in a marked 

 degree. 



Upon a limited slightly-slanting ledge, within easy 

 range, a company of the common guillemot (Uria troile) 

 were "standing easy;" some apparently engaged in 

 close conversation, and others motionless and in the 

 drollest attitudes. Many individuals were flying and 

 reflying from and to the spot, and a similar scene, 

 accompanied by the mingled hum of busy and con- 

 tented clamour, was going on in every crevice from 

 the water to the summit of the cliff. In other spots 

 the razorbills were seen to thickly congregate in 

 animated groups ; while, far above, the little rock- 

 pipit and the common starling I observed building in 

 close contiguity with those of the more rapacious 

 birds who have placed their nests secure from 

 any molestation, save that of the craigsman on 

 his giddy rope ; while upon the utmost peak the 

 kingly eagle forms his cradled eyrie in impregnable 

 security. 



These noble birds are getting extremely scarce of 

 late years, though they are carefully preserved by the 

 proprietor, J. Heddle, Esq., and a pair which have 

 been known to settle here year after year have only 

 been very casually noticed in the course of the present 



