454 Mr. Selby on the Birds of the Farn Islands. 



Art. XLIX. Catalogue of the various Birds which at 

 present inhabit or resort to the Farn Islands, with Ob- 

 servations on their habits, Sfc. Bt/ P. J. Selby, Esq. 

 F.L.S. M.W.S. 



Gentlemen, 



The following catalogue of the various species of Birds which 

 at present inhabit or resort to the Farn Islands, for the purpose 

 of incubation, though probably uninteresting to most of the pre- 

 sent readers of your Journal, may perhaps be of some value here- 

 after to the Naturalist; as it will serve to indicate whatever 

 changes may take place, (and such in parallel cases are frequently 

 known to occur,) either by the desertion of some of the present 

 visitants, or the accession of others. I have added a few obser- 

 vations illustrative of the habits and economy of the various spe- 

 cies, in order if possible to do away with the tedium of a mere 

 nomenclature ; though I fear my remarks will be found to possess 

 little novelty, or that is not already known to most of your 

 readers. 



The group of the Farn or Fairn Islands is situated upon the 

 Northern coast of Northumberland, in latitude 5b\ N. They are 

 composed of whin trap, a formation which prevails to a consider- 

 able extent upon the main land opposite. From the nature of the 

 rock they in general present a rugged and uneven surface, but 

 some of the larger islets are covered with vegetable mould, pro- 

 ducing a plentiful crop of Poa maritima and procwubens, Silene 

 injlata, Statice Armeria, S^'c. The inner, or nearest island to the 

 shore is about 2j miles distant ; this, called by way of distinction 

 the greater Farn, attains a considerable elevation, and presents a 

 perpendicular front to the West, of from 35 to 40 feet in height ; 

 the outermost is about 8 miles from shore, and the ridge runs in a 

 direction from West to North-east. Light-houses for the security 

 of navigation, at all times dangerous upon this rocky coast, have 

 been erected by the corporation of the Trinity House, upon the 

 nearest, and one of the farthest islands. The property is vested 



