178 
THE BRITISH COASTS. 
" the isles of ocean," in order that he may make acquaintance with the 
peculiar habitat of many species of birds as yet unnoticed. 
The coasts and shores of Great Britain and its isles are the 
haunts of legions of ocean-birds. Thither they come from the far, 
far North, — at least, those species which are not permanent in- 
habitants, — and blurr every cliff and headland, every stretch of 
ribbed sand and pebbly beach, with moving wings. The chalk- 
cliffs of Kent and Dorsetshire, the bleak iron-bound coasts of Corn- 
wall, the low and marshy shores of the fen-counties, the granite walls 
of Argyleshire, the massive Northumbrian and Yorkshire ramparts, 
the wild wave-worn islands of the Hebrides, — all these are haunted 
by birds innumerable, so various in their species and their habits 
that volumes might be devoted to a description of them. We can 
but glance at a few, either of the birds or their favourite localities. 
Off castled Bamborough lie the Fame Islands, associated with 
the memories of St. Aidan and St. Cuthbert, and of one not unworthy 
to be named with them, Grace Darling, — 
" The maiden gentle, yet at duty's call 
Firm and unflinching as the lighthouse reared 
On the island rock, her lonely dwelling-place ; 
Or, like the invincible rock itself, that braves, 
Age after age, the hostile elements, 
As when it guarded holy Cuthbert 's cell." 
These, like St. Kilda in the north-west, and many another rocky isle 
and islet, offer a rich field of inquiry to the ornithologist. Mr. White, 
narrating a visit to them, says, " The nearer we came to the outer group 
the more numerous did we find the birds. Thousands," he adds, " were 
swimming in the water; young broods, learning how to take care of 
themselves, under the eye of their parents." Landing on Staple Island, 
he and his companions were soon among the eggs, and had to tread 
warily, for, lying anywhere upon the turf, and without any appear- 
ance of a nest, they miglit easily be crushed. But where were the 
young birds ; had they all taken wing? No; with a stick and a shout 
the awkward-looking creatures were started from their hiding-places, 
where it was easy for the inexperienced eye to miss them, from the 
