380 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



on Lundy, where it probably breeds, and the same remark very 

 possibly may be applied to the Storm Petrel (Procellaria pelagica). 

 These two species often escape notice owing to their nocturnal 

 habits, but the weird cries of the former are said to be often heard 

 by the islanders during the night. 



Mr. Heaven told me of a tradition which still exists on the 

 island relating to the former occurrence of a bird which, if not 

 simply mythical, could be none other than the Great Auk. The 

 story is, I think, worth repeating, but must, however, as Mr. 

 Heaven impressed upon me, be taken for what it is worth. As 

 far as I can remember it runs as follows : — About the year 1839 

 one of the men on the island brought in a large egg (which was 

 kept by Mr. Heaven's family for some time until unfortunately 

 broken), which he declared belonged to a "King Murr" (on Lundy 

 Guillemots and Razorbills are both known as "Murrs"). The 

 11 King Murrs," the man said, were birds like "Razorbilled 

 Murrs," only much larger ; he did not think they could fly, as 

 they were only seen near the water, into which they scrambled 

 from the rocks when disturbed. There were only one or two 

 pairs ever seen, but they had long been known on the island. A 

 fuller account of this same story is, I believe, to be found in 

 * The Zoologist' for 1866,* though I have not the means of looking 

 up the exact reference. The story is interesting, though it can- 

 not be said to prove tbat the Great Auk was ever an inhabitant 

 of Lundy. 



I would advise anyone interested in birds, who may chance 

 to visit Lundy by excursion steamer, to spend the two or 

 three hours allowed on land in exploring the coast-line of the 

 northern half of the island. It will have to be done hurriedly 

 in the limited time at the tourist's disposal, as it takes about an 

 hour to walk from the landing-place to the North Lighthouse. If 

 time does not allow a visit to all the cliffs on the north-west side, 

 where the Guillemots and Kittiwakes chiefly congregate, the 

 visitor would do well to follow the rough track on the top of 

 the island to the north end, where he may see the large colony of 

 Puffins and Razorbills, which to the bird-lover is perhaps the 

 most interesting sight which can be obtained on this picturesque 

 island. 



* At page 100, written by the Rev. Murray A. Mathew.— Ed. 



