Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 4 (1900).djvu/532

West of Pwllheli we have Llanbedrog Point, Trwyn yr Wylfa, Trwyn Cilan (or Penkilan Head), Mynydd Penarfynydd, Trwyn y Penrhyn, Pen y Cil, Mynydd Mawr, from which one looks across to Ynys Enlli, or Bardsey Island, and across to Ireland in clear weather; while on the northward shore are Braich Annelog, Penrhyn Mawr, Penrhyn Golman, Dinlleyn Point, Penrhyn Glas, and many minor points. On some of these headlands the graceful buoyant flight, with airy curves, of the Chough may still, though rarely, be admired; but the bird is getting very scarce, and it is seldom that one gets a chance of watching a pair feeding on a broken cliff or hillside, with their quick walk and hops, poking their bills into the earth and under the stones. We have few more beautiful birds on our list than the Chough, with its glossy purple plumage and elegant form. Choughs sometimes join Rooks and Jackdaws when feeding, but, as they rise together, their more highly pitched note, clearer and more melodious, as well as their widely separated pinions (upturned at the tips), looking like a fringe of feathers, at once distinguishes the Choughs, even at a considerable distance. They certainly do cry "k'chouf" sometimes, but their more usual cry is a clear ringing "k'chare." Another note, uttered on the wing, is "k'queue." I heard also some weak "kares" from five birds flying together (perhaps a family party), which were possibly the cries of the young birds. It is probable that upon observations made in Lleyn was founded the statement in Willughby's 'Ornithology' and Ray's 'Synopsis,' that the Chough was found not only in Cornwall, but also in Wales. It is certain that one of these authors (I think, Ray) penetrated Lleyn as far as Aberdaron, for they mention seeing there a Starling with a black head and the rest of the body white. It is at first surprising to meet with the name of Aberdaron in this early work on birds; for it is now perhaps as remote as any village in Wales, and it entails a drive of seventeen miles from the nearest railway station before you sight its housetops, its low Norman church, and its tiny bay, below a hill so steep and stony as to try the surefootedness of one of Lleyn's own horses. But Aberdaron was probably much better known in the days when Ynys Enlli was still accounted a holy isle. The Starling is numerous, but I only once noticed Jays; and Mr. Coward's experience is the same. Magpies are common.