230 
THE GULL. 
were allowed to be used; nor were strangers wlio 
disregarded these rules to be admitted again on 
the island. In consequence of a rigid attention 
to these humane regulations, the same pair con- 
tinued, for five successive 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 ; where, notwithstanding the 
bare and perpendicular character of the precipices, 
there was scarcely a spot among the clefts and 
hollows to which the young men and boys of the 
neighbourhood did not find their way, in search of 
eggs, for which they found a ready demand. 
The main body of Gulls at length finding that 
these wonted haunts no longer afforded security, 
either taught by the experience of the above pair, 
or by their own observation, in the Spring of 
the sixth year took refuge on the island, chiefly 
at the south side, on an inclined plane of rock, 
where they have remained during the breeding- 
season ever since; and on this spot, in particu- 
lar, their artless nests are spread in such num- 
bers, that it is difficult at times to avoid treading 
upon them. It is remarkable, however, that only 
two pair of the Black- backed Gulls returned, and 
these, according to their usual habits, not only 
build apart, but never herd with the rest. Neither 
have the Razor-bills and Guillemots re-established' 
themselves in the same abundance, or with the same 
apparent confidence, — which may, in some degree, be 
