392 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



covered with a giant growth of dock, clumps of Hemp-agrimony, 

 and the strange yellow-green of the golden Saxifrage. On the way 

 down you pass scattered Gulls' nests, but to the right as you look 

 towards the sea, they are thicker in a snug hollow but little above 

 high water, and still further in the same direction you can see 

 craggy shelves not accessible from below, where, on the broad slate 

 ledges, the nests are placed against the sheltering rock. Under- 

 neath, as usual, where the ledges merge into sheer cliffs, are the 

 Shags ; but, as above mentioned, all mature birds seem to absent 

 themselves here during the breeding season. From the topmost 

 pinnacle is heard the harsh croak of the Raven, and the pair will 

 keep watch, agitated yet defiant, until you are a mile away. 

 Suddenly a Peregrine, with his magnificent flight, dashes through 

 the crowd of Gulls. Far out over the slumbering sea he hastens, 

 then turning, makes direct for the rock again, his sharp cry well 

 distinguished amid their hoarse clamours. Rock Pipits, in their 

 breeding plumage, delicately pretty birds when seen close, fly 

 from stone to stone, amid the tangle-clad recesses near the water, 

 and the bushy weeds higher up. Down in a hidden corner, where 

 the bulging cliff-top yields them such a site as they love, a few 

 Martins flit like butterflies. Unfortunately, this place is too well 

 known to Douglas lads, and I fear few Gulls here bring off their 

 clutches safely. 



A few Herring Gulls nest at Wallberry, and on the seaward 

 face of the stony desolate Barony Hill between Dhoon and Cornah 

 a few more ; at the latter place, on rocks not far above high-water 

 mark, bare of vegetation, except for patches of Sea-pink, and 

 sprinkled with little pools of brackish water. Maughold Head, 

 the most eastern point of the island, with its curious humped 

 outline and picturesque pinnacled stacks, adds to its singular 

 beauty of outlook and its grey memories, the wild charm of sea- 

 bird life. Most of the Herring Gulls here occupy a place to 

 which they have given the name of Traie Foillan. In the caverned 

 faces on the Ramsey side some Shags also nest. 



A few remarks on some species, which, though not properly 

 sea-birds, yet are often sharers of their stations, will not be out 

 of place. 



One such is the Grey Crow, Corvus comix. At intervals 

 pairs are scattered on the coast, and they are obtrusive on the 

 attention of the most casual visitor. Their nests are often very 



