228 WILD NATURE'S WAYS. 



preparatory to departure they frequently elevated 

 them in unison, and was fortunate enough to 

 secure a photographic study showing this initial 

 aerostatic action with some degree of clearness. 



A peep over the edge of the mighty cliff 

 revealed vast numbers of gannets sitting on 

 their untidy nests of seaweed and dead grass far 

 below — some in corners all by themselves, where 

 scarcity of room made them huddle in uncomfort- 

 able attitudes ; others so close together on ledges 

 that tlieir tails touched, and all wearing a look 

 of dignified gravity. Thousands were in the air 

 flsdng to and fro along the face of the crag as 

 if on som.e serious business intent, whilst others 

 were indulging in tlie pleasures of a lazy winged 

 waltz, very bewildering to behold from such a 

 great height. 



Towards evening the soft play of fading light 

 on the snowy white plumage of brooding birds 

 would have gladdened the heart of any artist 

 gifted \\ ith nerves strong enough to enable him to 

 ignore the haunting fearsomcness of the situation. 



Razorbills appeared to be very numerous on 

 this particular part of the Craig, and, together 

 with the puffins, were constantly scuttling from 

 amongst the loose stones beneath our feet. 

 Groups of them sat on lichen-clad rocks on the 

 very brink of the precipice gazing stolidly at us, 

 and flapping their wings from time to time as if 



