THE GULL. 237 



The Gulls, at the breeding season so numerous 

 on the island and adjacent coast, disperse them- 

 selves for the rest of the year; and are never seen 

 congregated in great numbers, except when at- 

 tracted by shoals of herrings, or some similar 

 cause; but it is positively asserted by the light- 

 keepers, as a very extraordinary fact, that they all 

 instinctively return to the South Stack during the 

 same night, on or about the 10th of February; and 

 retire, with the exception of those that, having been 

 robbed on the main, had resorted to the island to 

 renew the labours of incubation, about the night of 

 the 1 2th of August. The keepers state that, in the 

 middle of the former night, they are warned of their 

 arrival by a great noise, as it were a mutual greeting 

 and cheering; adding, that they look to their return 

 as that of so many old acquaintances, after a long 

 absence, announcing the Winter to be over, and 

 Spring approaching. For a time they appear to 

 congregate together without any order whatever; 

 but in the course of a month begin to pair, and, 

 getting their nests in readiness, proceed to lay their 

 eggs. As if confident of protection, they become 

 quite familiar ; at least this is the case with the 

 Larus camts, or common Gull. 



In one part, a point of rock projects considerably; 

 its extremity commanding a full view of the va- 

 rious ledges, as w r ell as declivities, on which the 

 Gulls have established themselves; and there have 

 we sat, and could have remained for hours, watching 

 these sea-birds, and listening to their wild cry, 

 mingling with the hoarse roar of the waves lashing 

 the rocks below. When resting there some would 



