Fortune: The Birds of the Farne Islands. 235 
far too numerous, as he is a sad rascal, robbing the other 
birds regularly both of their eggs and young. When the 
young Terns are hatching it is impossible for the keepers to 
drive the Gulls away until they have had their fill. Young of 
other species have to pay toll in a like manner. Although 
taking the eggs of other birds whenever an opportunity offers, 
they do not seem fo interfere with those of their own species. 
Herring Gulls are present in small numbers. It is quite 
impossible to identify their nests and eggs without seeing the 
birds upon them, so closely do they resemble those of the 
Lesser Black Backs. 
One of the sights is that of the renowned Pinnacle Rocks, a 
group of basaltic pillars rising to a considerable height. They 
have perfectly flat tops, and are tenanted with a huge crowd of 
Guillemots. It is a most interesting sight; from the main 
island the spectator can look right on to the heaving mass of 
birds, and one cannot help wondering whether by any chance a 
bird leaving its egg for a short visit to the sea could ever 
regain it again. Our own Yorkshire coast furnishes a most 
interesting spectacle of Guillemots in the nesting season, but 
nothing to approach the Pinnacle Rocks for large numbers in a 
small space. A few Guillemots nest on some of the ledges on 
the main island, and we found one or two laying their eggs 
amongst the Cormorants’ nests on the Wamses. 
One of the most pleasing results of protection is the great 
increase in the numbers of the charming Kittiwake, the most 
handsome and most gentle of all the Gull tribe. There can 
surely be no finer sight than a colony of Kittiwakes sitting upon 
their nests, their beautiful plumage affording a striking contrast 
to the dark rocks upon which their nests are placed, the smallest 
ledges being sufficient for a foundation for them. On the 
Farnes these birds are delightfully tame and confiding, and 
the visitor is thoroughly repaid by being allowed to enter into 
the mysteries of their home life. The nests are placed on the 
sides of the Pinnacles and on the cliffs of the Staple Island. 
Razorbills are very few in number, only about half-a-dozen 
pairs nesting on the Farne Island. Very few birds nest on this 
island, so that it is not of great interest to the ornithologist. 
It has, however, an interest of its own. 
Another gratifying feature is the great increase in the 
number of Eider Ducks. They are found practically every- 
where nesting amongst the rocks, vegetation, or on the open 
beach. Some are wonderfully tame, even occasionally allowing 
1907 July 1. 
