AllCTIC TERN. 
‘> 
over the roeks and swept them out to sea. The lower portion of this rough and weather-beaten 
structure is now used as a storehouse by the custodian of the birds, and at the time of my visit 
thousands of eggs were packed away in boxes, ready for conveyance to North Sunderland, Holy Island, 
and various villages along the coast. It is necessary to charge an exceedingly low price for the commonest 
of the eggs, as the fishermen arc by these means induced to become purchasers ; otherwise they would 
land and, searching indiscriminately to help themselves, cause endless destruction. Eour eggs of the 
Cormorant and three of the Guillemot and Lesser Black-backed Gull are sold for a penny, while those 
of Eiders, Terns, Herring-Gulls, Kittiwakes, and the other species fetch as much as two or three pence each — 
the former being consumed for food by the native population, and the latter coming into the possession 
of dealers. 
To the best of my knowledge, the following is a correct list of the birds that resorted to these islands 
for breeding-purposes at the time of my last visit in 18G7 ; with the changes that may have taken 
place of late years I am utterly unacquainted. 
Rock-Pipit. — A few pairs were nesting among the old buildings. 
Ringed Ploveii. — I noticed the eggs of this species on several of these islands ; and numbers of the 
birds were flying about the roeks. 
Oyster-Catcher. — Several birds were seen, some in small parties of three or four; Darling, the egg- 
gatherer, however, was of opinion that only about twelve pairs were nesting this season. 
Siield-Duck. — A few pairs breed on the islands, and several frequent the Magstone, a rock about a 
mile to the north. 
Eider. — Large flocks composed of birds in various stages of plumage, the drakes predominating, were 
resting quietly on the water in the sheltered bays. The ducks, I ascertained, were sitting on several of 
the islands ; and the men pointed out three or four nests that had been constructed among the rank plants 
and rough grass against the wall round the old lighthouse, now used for storing and packing the eggs 
taken for sale. These birds, owing to the constant passing to and fro of the egg-collector and his 
assistants, had become so confiding that they showed not the slightest fear, even when closely inspected 
by strangers. 
Common Guillemot. — Immense numbers lay their eggs on the summit of the Pinnacles, and a few 
frequent two or three of the other rocky islets. Several of the ringed form are to be seen intermixed 
with the crowds assembled on the rocks, when their ranks are closely inspected. 
Puffin. — Breeds on some of the islands where the soft mould enables them to scrape out their own 
domiciles, and also on others where they make use of the rabbit-burrows. 
Razorbill. — I only observed a single bird sitting on her egg, and Darling informed me that there was 
but one pair this season ; in former times, however, as at the Bass Rock, they were numerous. 
Cormorant. — There seemed to be, so far as I was able to judge, about one hundred nests on one of 
the rocky islands, the highest being perhaps twenty feet above high-water mark. These birds were stated 
to change their breeding-quarters every season. 
Shag. — This species I learned had always bred at the Pinnacles till the present season ; a pair were 
now about the islands, but it appeared uncertain whether they had as yet commenced nesting-operations. 
Sandivich Tern. — There were three large colonies on different islands, their breeding-quarters 
adjoining those of the Arctic Terns. 
Roseate Tern. — Stated by the egg-gatherer to have been not uncommon a few years baek. Only 
a single bird, which I obtained, seen during my visit to the islands ; this speeimen proved to be a female, 
evidently sitting at the time. 
Arctic Tern. — Very numerous this season; in addition to three large there were two small colonies. 
