404 
THE GULL. 
down they pounce, pierce an egg with their sharp beak, and 
fly off with it in a trice. 
A curious circumstance fell under the observation of the 
light-keeper. A pair of these Crows had, for some years, fre- 
quented the same spot, when, in one season, the female was 
shot, and the male almost immediately disappeared, remaining 
absent for the space of three or four days, when he returned 
with another partner, and the business of nidifieation was 
carried on as before. 
The Gulls, at the breeding season so numerous on the 
island and adjacent coast, disperse themselves for the rest of 
the year : and are never seen congregated in great numbers, 
except when attracted by shoals of herrings, or some similar 
cause ; hut it is positively asserted by the light-keepers as a 
very extraordinary fact, that they all instinctively return to the 
South Stack during the same night, on or about the 10th of 
February ; and retire, with the exception of those that, having 
been robbed on the main, had resorted to the island to renew 
the labours of incubation, about the night of the 12th of 
August. The keepers state, that in the middle of the former 
night, they are warned of their arrival by a great noise, as it 
were a mutual greeting and cheering ; adding that they look 
to their return as that of so many old acquaintances, after a 
long absence, announcing the Winter to he over, and Spring 
approaching. For a time they appear to congregate together 
without any order whatever ; hut in the course of a month 
begin to pair, and getting their nests in readiness, proceed to 
lay their eggs. As if confident of protection, they become 
quite familiar ; at least this is the case with the Larus 
canus, or common Gull. 
In one part, a point of rock projects considerably; its 
extremity commanding a full view of the various ledges, as 
well as declivities, on which the Gulls have established them- 
selves ; and there have we sat, and could have remained for 
hours, watching these sea-birds, and listening to their wild 
cry, mingling with the hoarse roar of the waves lashing the 
rocks below. When resting there, some would fly so near, 
that the fanning of their wings could almost he felt, while 
