THE GULL. 
231 
accounted for, by the parts of the rock most suited 
to their habits haying been more or less used as 
landing-places. But although these poor birds have, 
contrary to the general rule, found a protector in 
man, they are not entirely without their troubles and 
annoyances. Certain Crows (the light-keepers say, 
a pair only of one particular species, probably the 
red-legged, Corvus graculus ,) come at the same time, 
and build their nest just opposite the Stack, as if 
for the express purpose of harassing and stealing their 
eggs. For no sooner do the Gulls begin to lay, 
than these two Crows are perpetually on the look- 
out, frequently hovering over, and watching for an 
opportunity to carry off a prize. 
The moment the thieves appear, the whole Gull 
colony is in a state of commotion and consternation: 
those on the nests cowering over their new-laid 
treasures, while the others, by their screams and 
menacing attitudes, do their best to frighten and 
drive the marauders away. But the cunning Crows 
usually gain their point : watching an opportunity, 
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, frequented 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 nidification was 
carried on as before. 
The Gulls, at the breeding season, so numerous 
on the island and adjacent coast, disperse them- 
