29 



found in the Rathlin waters. The brown rat, however, whose 

 power to spread and increase seems unlimited, is common on 

 the island, and a decided pest there as elsewhere. Dr. Hamil- 

 ton, in his account, says there are no mice in Rathlin ; — if that 

 were so in 1784 it is not the case now, as at present they are 

 only too plentiful. 



As may be expected where the limits are so narrow, there 

 are few really native quadrupeds. There are indeed wild goats, 

 but they are domesticated animals, turned out by Mr. Gage, 

 to live in a state of nature. The place occupied by the goats 

 is naturally inaccessible on the land side, but a wire rope hung 

 over the cliff by the proprietor, enables the firm of nerve and 

 sure of foot to descend. In this secluded spot grows the grass 

 of Parnassus {Pamassia palustris), almost the only place on 

 the island where this beautiful flower can be found. Owing 

 to their atrocious slaughter by a person who would like to be 

 considered a sportsman, the " wild goats " have been reduced 

 to two animals only. The hare has also been introduced, and 

 is not uncommon on the heaths. But it is the sea-birds which 

 may be regarded as the glory of Rathlin Island. The west and 

 northwest, where the cliffs are highest, is their favourite locality. 

 Here they congregate in thousands, and he must be hard to 

 please, indeed, who would not be delighted with the scene on a 

 midsummer day. Dunmore, on the west, is a sight to see in 

 June. This a great stack or pillar detached from the cliffs, and 

 rising to somewhere about 100 feet high. It is so close to the 

 shore that its base can be reached at low water, but its perpen- 

 dicular sides forbid any attempt at climbing beyond a few feet. 

 This rock is the headquarters of the puffins and guillemots, and 

 at the end of June was so closely packed on the top and on the 

 numerous ledges down the sides, that it seemed as if there was 

 not room for another bird. Storms and high winds are con- 

 tinually sweeping over this bare exposed crag, and it is a marvel 

 that the birds are able, notwithstanding, to keep their places, 

 and bring out their young. At the end of July, not more than 

 the tenth of the birds remained, and the base of the rock was 

 strewn with empty egg shells. The Cornish Chough is a con- 



