RAZOR-BILL. 549 



which if failing, the fowler is dashed to pieces, or drowned 

 in the sea which roars and heaves below. 



This scene, on the coast of Dover, is most graphically de- 

 scribed by that immortal bard, who delighted to hold ' as 

 't were the mirror up to nature.' 



How fearful 



And dizzy 'tis to cast one's eyes so low ! 

 The Crows, and Choughs* that wing the midway air, 

 Show scarce so gross as beetles : — Half way down 

 Hangs one that gathers Samphire, dreadful trade 1 

 Methinks, he seems no bigger than his head : 

 The fishermen, that walk upon the beach, 

 Appear like mice ; and yon tall anchoring bark. 

 Diminished to her cock, her cock, a buoy 

 Almost too small for sight. The murmuring surge, 

 That on the unnumbered idle pebbles chafes, 

 Cannot be heard so high ; — ] '11 look no more ; 

 Lest my brain turn, and the deficient sight 

 Topple down headlong. 



In order to study the habits of these marine birds, the 

 celebrated Edwards spent several days among these terrific 

 and romantic rocks. If a cannon was fired, the air was 

 darkened with a black cloud of the cliff birds which issued 

 by thousands from every hole and cranny as if sammoRed 

 into sudden existence by the work of enchantment. They 

 fly about in silence near to the surface of the sea, perform a 

 few circuits ; and, on the removal of the cause of alarm, 

 return soon to their eyry, or alighting on the waves, dive 

 out of the way of harm, until well assured that no enemy 

 is near. 



The egg of the Razor-Bill is very large for the size of 

 the bird, being about 3i inches long, pointed towards the 



* In all probability the very birds in question, Murres and Guillemots, rather than 

 either the one or the other here introduced. 



