Skellig Michael classified as a Special Protection Area in 1986, when they were recognised for containing both an usually large variety and population of birds. It is known as an eyrie for Peregrine Falcon. Other birds of interest include Fulmar, Manx shearwater ("Puffinus puffinus"), Storm petrel, Gannet, Kittiwake, Guillemot and Atlantic Puffin. A herd of goats lived on the island until recently, and it supports a population of rabbits and house mice, both relatively recent introductions, probably introduced in the 19th century by lighthouse attendants. Grey Seal haul out on the island's ledges. The word "Skellig" derives from the old Irish word
Frederick Wollaston Hutton in 1891. He was founding President of the Royal Society of New Zealand from 1904 to his death in 1905; he was followed by Sir James Hector. He worked successively at the Colonial Museum, Wellington (1871–1873); Otago Museum, Dunedin (1877–1879); and the Canterbury Museum, Christchurch (1887–1905) Hutton died on the return voyage from England on 27 October 1905, and was buried at sea off Cape Town, South Africa. He is commemorated in the Hutton Memorial Medal and Research Fund, awarded for scientific works bearing on the zoology, botany or geology of New Zealand. Hutton's shearwater ("Puffinus huttoni"), a sea bird,