262 i\rr. W. Eagle Clarke— J Month 
species. It will be well to mention here the Great Shear- 
waters. These birds were very common throughout my visit, 
but were seen in varying numbers ; on some days a few only 
skimming the waters around the lighthouse, while on others 
they were extremely abundant. When the immense shoals of 
Pilchards were in the vicinity, I witnessed some interesting 
scenes in which this species played a leading part, for it dashed 
into the water in spirited style to secure its prey ; as did also 
the less agile Gulls, upon whom, in turn, numerous Skaas 
were in close and pressing attendance. The whole formed 
a most animated scene ; one whose interest was occasionally 
further heightened by the presence of a school of small Ceta- 
ceans, which rolled and jumped about in all directions among 
the much persecuted fish. The Manx Shearwater was fre- 
quently seen between the 29th of September and the 14th 
of October, but was not at all numerous. 
To return to the migratory species among the Laridse. 
The occurrence of the Great Skua was chronicled on 
September 23rd, when three examples were observed during a 
S.E. by S. gale ; single birds were seen on the 1st and 16th of 
October. The Pomatorhine Skua was very abundant during 
the period covered by my visit, and was much in evidence 
when I left. Examples with remarkably developed central 
tail-feathers, and others in melanistic plumage, were not un- 
common. The Arctic Skua was also common, but not nearly 
so numerous as the last-named species. The abundance of 
these piratical birds was no doubt due to the presence of 
vast numbers of Gulls of various kinds, and of these last, in 
turn, to the great shoals of Pilchards present in the neigh- 
bourhood of the Eddystone. 
Of the various species of Tern I saw but few examples. 
This was, no doubt, due to the fact that the vicinity of the 
reefs, and the deep water that surrounds them, did not afford 
a suitable fishing-ground. Single examples of the Sandwich 
Tern were seen on the 25th and 27th of September. A few 
Common Terns passed on the 22nd, 23rd, 27th, and 28th of 
September; and on the morning of the 12th of October two 
Arctic Terns, in the somewhat uncommonly observed stage 
