a few days of the same time, being the first or second week 

 in June. The protracted time of their breeding is, no doubt, 

 owing to the weather, which, at an earlier season, would be 

 too severe for the rearing of their young, in situations so 

 much exposed. After they have begun to sit, they become 

 very bold in the defence of their eggs : whilst amongst them, 

 I was amused with one, near the nest of which I was sitting ; 

 it retired to a certain distance, to give it full force in its at- 

 tack, and then made a stoop at my head, coming within two 

 or three yards of me, this it continued to do, incessantly, till 

 I left it. Mr. Darling, the keeper of the light-house on the 

 island, informs me, that an old woman who was in the habit 

 of gathering their eggs, had her bonnet almost torn to pieces, 

 it being perforated throughout by their bills. 



