rLA.MBOROUGH HEAD. . 13 



breed on by preference, because it is that best sheltered from the sun's rays. 

 The eggs are never nearer the ground than one hundred feet. 



The northern portion of the east coast of England is associated with 

 numerous legends of more or less poetic beauty, relating to birds as well as 

 other things ; and the ocean has always been closely allied to sacred 

 and profane song. Thus Longfellow also, in 'The Secret of the Sea,' 

 speaks of 



" Telling liow the Count Arnaldos, 

 With his hawk upon his hand. 

 Saw a fair and stately galley 

 Steering onward to the land ; — 



" How he heard the ancient helmsman 

 Chant a song so wild and clear. 

 That the sailing sea-bird slowly 

 Poised upon the mast to hear.^' 



It is not, however, necessary to enter into these well-known tales, such 

 as that of St. Cuthbert and his Duck, &c. 



Perhaps the Guillemot (f/n'a troile) is one of the most characteristic 

 birds of Flamborough. The mode by which the young bird, unable to fly, 

 arrives safely at the sea, used to attract the attention of visitors, Waterton 

 among others. It seems to be done in two ways — by the old bird taking 

 its offspring on its back, and also between its mandibles. 



In the ' Zoologist,' 2nd ser., 1875, p. 4342, Mr. F. Boyes, Beverley, 

 describes this circumstance, which he saw at Flamborough. The Guillemot 

 " did this almost perpendicularly, and with very quick beating of its wings. 

 My attention was attracted to it by the squeaking, or rather whisthng, of the 



