Birds. 9157 
Bigger and South-end, and some portion of the land in the centre of 
the island is now under the plough, 
Being a great lover of Nature, and a great admirer of the habits of 
birds, it occurred to me that a visit to this island would be productive 
of much interest, and, as it proved, I was not mistaken. I accordingly 
started on the 30th of May, taking with me as little luggage as possible, 
including, however, a box with some tow for eggs, a “ Westley 
Richards,” a good glass by Ross, and a note-book. 
Landing at the small hamlet of North Scale, I enquired of the ferry- 
man for a person who knew the island well, and who could point out 
to me the breeding-places of the various birds inhabiting it. By good 
luck his brother appeared to be the very man I was in search of, and 
although at first he declared he could not leave his work, a promise of 
extra wages, and the insinuation that he would probably find my work 
much more interesting, finally prevailed with him, and he agreed to 
accompany me. The first fact that 1 learned from him was that the 
blackheaded gull and Sandwich tern (‘ large sea-swallows,” as he 
termed them) were breeding on private ground, and were strictly 
preserved. Moreover, that the owner was particularly strict, and that 
there was but little chance of my obtaining leave to take any of the 
eggs. This was anything but encouraging; however, I resolved to 
pursue the safest course, and endeavour, if possible, to obtain permis- 
sion. Leaving my guide at a little distance with my gun and a basket 
for eggs, I proceeded to the dwelling of the stern proprietor, and 
stated the object of my visit to the island. At first I met with a 
decided objection on his part, but on my stating that I had come all 
the way from London on purpose to ascertain what birds were breeding 
here and to collect a few of their eggs, he gradually relented, and said 
he would accompany me himself, and then we would see what might 
be done. 
Not half a mile from the house we came upon the breeding-ground 
of the blackheaded gull, and while walking there I had leisure to ob- 
serve the numerous small birds which we disturbed on our way. The 
linnet and meadow pipit were common, and the wheatear particularly 
numerous. I also saw a pair of stonechats, but, with the exception of 
the rock pipit and cuckoo, to be noticed hereafter, these were the only 
birds of the order Insessores which I observed. 
On reaching the ground occupied by the gulls an extraordinary sight 
presented itself. It seemed as if all the rabbits, wheatears and black- 
headed gulls in the county had congregated at this one particular spot, 
and continuing in perpetual motion, to one unaccustomed to such 
