352 
BIRD-LIFE. 
The rocky breeding-places of the far North only differ 
in one respect from those just mentioned, and that is in 
the number of different species which nest together in 
one spot, though the mass of birds breeding there is no 
less numerous. On the mighty precipices of the islands 
and headlands of the Arctic seas, the following species 
are found breeding in company:—Gulls, Terns, Petrels, 
Guillemots, Razorbills, Puffins, Shearwaters, Gannets, 
Cormorants, Eider Ducks, and other Sea-birds; besides 
Sea Eagles, Peregine Falcons, &c. Their nests are placed 
on rocky pinnacles and ledges in natural caves, or in 
holes scratched in the earth, in clefts and rifts in the 
rocks, or in other suitable situations. The breeding-places 
commence just above where the line of breakers surges 
against the tremendous headlands, which rise perpendi¬ 
cularly hundreds of feet in height from the bosom of 
the ocean, sometimes even over-hanging it. From this 
point to as high as the eye can reach, the whole face of 
the rock is covered with nests, the side most sheltered 
from the prevailing wind being the one selected. From 
a distance these rocky walls look as though they were 
covered with snow, and, on nearer approach, have all the 
appearance of one vast bee-hive surrounded with millions 
of living creatures. The summit of the rock is covered 
with Gull’s nests; in the earthy portion of the cliffs and 
amongst the loose stones the Puffins and Little Auks 
excavate their holes; * Guillemots and Razorbills are 
seen amongst the crevices in the rocks; while the shelves 
and ledges are occupied by Petrels, Gannets, and 
* The following extract from Capt. M’Clintock’s Arctic voyage in the ‘Fox’ 
(page 139) may interest the reader:—“The Little Auk lays its single egg on the 
hare rock far within a crevice, beyond the reach of fox, Owl, and Burgomaster 
Gull: 5 ve shot two hundred while on shore; and, by moving the stones, obtained 
several dozens of their eggs.”— IF. J. 
