228 ALCIU/E. 



legists, gencrallj, mention one fisli only as borne by the puffin at 

 a time. 



Other species are seen as we proceed, though some which 

 nidify at particular parts of the rocks and in caves, do not come 

 in view from the summit of the range of cliffs. The common 

 guillemot ( Uria tfoile) breeds in profusion ; the black guil- 

 lemot {Ufia grylle), in its usual comparative numbers to the 

 former; the lesser and greater black-backed gulls [Larus fnscxis 

 and L. viarums), both of which came under our notice, are said 

 to build here. The common gull [L. camii), too, probably nidifies, 

 from the circumstance of adult birds (with bright yellow legs) 

 being now here, of which we shot two or three, to make sure of 

 the species, as they flew up from the face of the cliffs. The shag, 

 or green cormorant [Phalacrocorax graculus), is stated by the 

 gamekeeper to breed, perhaps to the number of three hundred, 

 and, different from the common species,"^ to build out of sight, 

 within the clefts of rocks.f 



* Two geutlcmeu, who went i-ouiid the base of the I'ocks abotit tlie 10th of June, 

 stated, that they saw both species of cormorant sitting on their uests within the 

 caves. 



t The following infonnation, which is generally, if not criticaEy correct, was 

 supplied by the gamekeeper and another person well acquainted with the birds hei"e. 

 The razorbill, puffin, and couimoii guillemot arrive at the same time (in March) 

 and depart about " lammas " (12th August) ; — the first-named breeds about the 12th 

 of May. Each species lays one egg, which, as to size, colour, &c., was correctly 

 described ; the razorbill's is laid in crevices as well as ou the open shelves of rock ; 

 the puffin's is deposited on dried sea-weeds under stones or in rabbit-holes, always out 

 of sight, and sometimes beyond reach ; the guillemot's is laid in clefts or ou open 

 flags. The eggs of the black guillemot are laid under stones out of sight and reach ; 

 the bird itself remains during the year. The greater and lesser black-backed gulls 

 breed here, make large nests, and, like the herring-guU and kittiwake, lay three 

 eggs each ; — the common gull had not been satisfactorily distinguished from the 

 others by the persons questioned. The eggs of all the gulls were described of a 

 " brownish-green colour with black ticks," differing in size according to the re- 

 lative dimensions of the birds. Common cormorants breed in company on open 

 flags in jNlay, laying three eggs ; the shag lays in the same month in clefts of 

 rock out of sight. Of the following fom- species, the common guUlemot is said to 

 breed nearest to the water, the razorbill next, kittiwake third, and puffin fourth. 

 This may be generally correct, but it does not accord with my own limited observa- 

 tion at the locality, which was unfortunately confined to what could be seen from 

 the summit of the cliffs. Althongh the weather diu-ing the week I spent there 

 was rcniarkaldy fine, the circumstance of the little wind that there was, blowing 

 upon the land, rendered it imprudent, according to the boatmen, to attempt going 



