116 Ailsa Craig and its Birds. 



altogether about half way, any one desirous of completing the 

 journey is compelled to surmount the difficulties of the adven- 

 ture by indulging in a series of most undignified attitudes. 

 The most prudent course the visitor can adopt is to pause for 

 a time at the safest point of observation, where he will obtain 

 a view of the basaltic pillars, one of the grandest ranges in 

 Britain. These stupendous columns attain an elevation of 400 

 feet — a height six times greater than the famous pillars of Staffa. 

 Many of these gigantic blocks have become partially discon- 

 nected, and look as if ready to fall at the slightest touch. The 

 extraordinary accumulation of fallen rocks already spoke?i of 

 is the result of such blocks giving way ; and as, throughout 

 its whole extent, this mass has now become the chosen abode 

 of countless puffins, we may imagine the singular spectacle 

 afforded by a legion of these birds pouring out of their holes 

 when a few tons of trap happen to fall upon their territories. 



A steep and somewhat dangerous footpath forms the ascent 

 to an old castle in ruins, the surface beyond that elevation being 

 irregularly covered with immense pieces of rock, which lie 

 scattered in the wildest confusion. The hollows are filled with 

 plants of a monstrous growth, tall, fierce nettles, and umbrella- 

 like blades, amongst which the tourist, as he brushes his way to 

 the summit, stumbles at intervals, and not uufrequently sinks 

 out of sight, getting wedged in the most awkward postures in 

 the cold embrace of these boulders. The only satisfaction, 

 while so situated, is to listen to the tinkling sound of a minia- 

 ture river which has its source at a marshy hollow some dis- 

 tance above, and which now runs fresh and clear, singing its 

 quiet tune in strange contrast to the noise of the great reser- 

 voir below ; but the best reward of all awaits those who have 

 patience to toil up to the Cairn, as the magnificent view of the 

 Frith of Clyde is one of memorable interest. 



Of the various birds to be found upon this ' ' lone isle " 

 (there are upwards of forty observed as regular visitors), by 

 Gar the most numerous is the puffin (Mormon fratercula). On 

 Hearing the craig in a boat, this comical species is the first to 

 make himself known by rising on all sides out of the water; 

 he looks :it you for a second or two, then with a diverting turn 

 of liis little fat body, lie throws up his painted heels and 

 plunges out <>[' sight. It is only on tho rock itself, however, 

 that a near acquaintance can be made with the puffins, for the 

 ornithologist bias hut- to sit down anywhere near their burrows, 

 and keep the peace, when the Mormons will show their confi- 

 dence by alighting in hundreds within a few feet of the spot he 

 occupies. There is, it must be confessed, a risk of censure in- 

 curred while speaking of bird flights darkening the air, and 

 making a noise like tho rushing of wind, yet the scene 1 wit- 



