THE GULL. 235 



orders, as before, were given, on no account to dis- 

 turb them; and, as a further protection, no fire-arms 

 were allowed to be used; nor were strangers who 

 disregarded these rules to be admitted again on 

 the island. In consequence of a rigid attention to 

 these humane regulations, the same pair continued, 

 for five successive years, to visit this ledge, rearing 

 their young, consisting generally of two, and never 

 exceeding three in number. But although only this 

 single pair were observed to breed on the island, a 

 considerable number, at times, as if aware of their 

 security, sought the shelter denied them on the 

 main-land; where, notwithstanding the bare and 

 perpendicular character of the precipices, there was 

 scarcely a spot among the clefts and hollows to 

 which the young men and boys of the neighbour- 

 hood did not find their way, in search of eggs, for 

 which they found a ready demand. 



The main body of Gulls at length finding that 

 these wonted haunts no longer afforded security, 

 either taught by the experience of the above pair, 

 or by their own observation, in the Spring of the 

 sixth year took refuge on the island, chiefly at 

 the south side, on an inclined plane of rock, where 

 they have remained, during the breeding-season, 

 ever since ; and on this spot, in particular, their 

 artless nests are spread in such numbers, that it is 

 difficult at times, to avoid treading upon them. 

 It is remarkable, however, that only two pair of 

 the Black-backed Gulls returned, and these, ac- 

 cording to their usual habits, not only build apart, 

 but 'never herd with the rest. Neither have the 

 Razor-bills and Guillemots re-established them- 



