402 
THE GULL. 
some particulars relative to tire habits of the birds of which 
we are now speaking. 
The spot we allude to is at the hack of a mountain near 
Holyhead, which terminates abruptly in a series of precipices. 
At the foot of one of these is a small island, called the South 
Stack, on which a light-house has been erected within the last 
few years, well known to those who navigate the Irish 
Channel. Upon this rock, which, before the erection of the 
light-house, was almost inaccessible, myriads of sea-fowl used 
to build ; hut when the works were commenced, in 1808 , the 
unusual appearance of persons on the island, with their noisy 
operation of blasting, so disturbed the proceedings of the 
birds recently arrived, that, with the exception of a solitary 
pair of Gulls, the whole body, including Guillemots and 
Bazor-bills, took to flight, leaving the workmen in full pos- 
session of a spot, which the birds, from time unknown, had 
occupied by a sort of prescriptive right. This solitary pair 
had taken post on an inaccessible ledge of bare rock, in the 
face of a precipice, and seemed to be aware that nothing but 
shot or stones could dislodge them. Their determined con- 
fidence in the security of their stronghold met with its due 
reward, orders being issued that none should molest them. 
The consequence was, that in a short time they became quite 
familiarized to the noise and bustle, and remained until their 
young were reared, and in a condition to shift for them- 
selves. 
In the ensuing Spring, the same pair, as was supposed, 
retook possession of their old post — and strict orders, as before, 
were given, on no account to disturb them ; and, as a further 
protection, no fire-arms were allowed to be used ; nor were 
strangers who disregarded these rules to be admitted again 
on the island. In consequence of a rigid attention to these 
humane regulations, the same pair continued, for five succes- 
sive years, to visit this ledge, rearing their young, consisting 
generally of two, and never exceeding three in number. But 
although only this single pair were observed to breed on the 
island, a considerable number, at times, as if aware of their 
security, sought the shelter denied them on the main-land ; 
