Modern Cliff-Dwellers 



plunge like an arrow into the wave with a force 

 that suggests concussion of the brain, disappearing 

 for some seconds, and then fluttering up with the 

 fish which is seldom agile enough to escape such 

 an onslaught. 



It was interesting to hear the Keeper tell about 

 the birds. After the breeding-season they all 

 scatter, and very lew feathered creatures are seen 

 during the long winter but files of hardy Ducks, 

 like the Eiders, as they fiy along the lanes in the 

 drift-ice. What an experience it must be to re- 

 main isolated from the world, in all those bitter, 

 fearful storms, beyond human help for months at a 

 time ! No wonder these brave and hardy people 

 rejoice over the return of the birds in the spring. 

 Records of this and other phenomena have been 

 kept at the request of scientific societies or of the 

 Government, and I will quote a little from the 

 ledger. A record of temperature, by the way, is 

 also kept, and other meteorological facts. The 

 highest recorded temperature on the Rock was 73 

 degrees, Fahrenheit. During the daytimes of our 

 stay the mercury indicated from 48 to ^^. Who- 

 ever visits the Bird Rocks, even in summer, should 

 wear winter clothes and not forget a heavy overcoat. 

 Here is a calendar of the arrivals of the birds in 

 the season of 1900 — as the Keeper had it : 

 March 14. i dozen Kittiwakes 



'' 15. 2 dozen Kittiwakes 



" 16. 100 Kittiwakes 



" 18. 500 Kittiwakes. Disappear for a few 

 days 



" 22. 1000 Kittiwakes 



71 



