Mil. J. H. GURNEY ON BIRDS OF THE PEMBROKESHIRE ISLANDS. 633 
exceptions, this much may be said, what one Guillemot on a ledge 
does the others generally do. 
The Welsh name of the Guillemot is “ Eligoog,” and is a name of 
very old standing. John Ray, who visited St. David’s in June, 
1662, with Willughby, spells it “Elegug” (‘Memorials of John 
Ray,’ edited by E. Lankester, p. 176), but in their well known 
‘ Ornithologia ’ (1676), p. 325, they spell it “ Helegug” : it is still 
commonly used. “Ileli” Mr. Thomas tells us means “ salt water, 
but I can find no word in the Welsh dictionary corresponding to 
“goog.” 
Grassholm. 
Grassholm,* i.e , green island, is of a more or less conical shape 
but not very lofty, uninhabited, and there are no trees of any kind 
In spite of its exposed position its slopes are covered with grass 
which is burrowed into by many hundreds of Puffins, particularly 
on the south side; and quantities of these birds swam in the 
water as we sailed twice round the island, but not a single Gannet 
was to be seen swimming. On the north and east, Grassholm is 
precipitous, and here it is that the top of the cliff, which in one 
place forms a table, is occupied by the largest company of Gannets 
all close together as if room on their select spot was valuable, but 
not in rows. A good many Kittiwake Gulls occupy the lower 
places on the cliffs, and add to its beauty by their graceful forms 
and silent flight. 
Further on, are five smaller companies of Gannets, also on or 
near the top of the cliff, numbering say forty Gannets a piece on an 
average, as well as three or four yet smaller parties of eight or ten. 
The large company first mentioned may well number 100 Gannets 
or more, and, allowing about ten for single birds, we thus have 
a total of 340; but probably it is fair to reckon that 160 were at 
sea, though we did not see above sixty, if as many, on the wing in 
the vicinity of Grassholm. If we assess the total settlement at 
500 adult Gannets, that is making a liberal allowance, and is the 
same estimate arrived at in 1886 by Mr. M. D. Propert whose 
acquaintance 1 had the pleasure of making at St. David’s. In 
1893, Mr. Drane considered there were 240 nests (J.c.). In 1895, 
Mr. Jeffreys, of Tetbury, who landed on the rock, informs me that 
* Gland, the antiquary, spells it Gresse Holme, ‘ Itinerary,’ vol. xxvii. 
VOL. VII. 
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