452 ENGLISH BIRD LIFE 



being of a uniform dusky hue, and the other having 

 the breast and under surfaces of a creamy 

 whiteness. The two varieties nest freely together, 

 and apart from the distinction in colour are in every 

 respect identical. 



Two other species of Skua occur in England, the 

 Pomatorhine and the Long-tailed. The former 

 appears on the British coasts on migration only, 

 although sometimes in considerable flocks : whilst 

 the latter, the smallest of the race, is merely a rare 

 and casual visitor. 



On the summit of the great cliff a dead level of 

 green extends, cropped by the rabbits to the smooth- 

 ness of a carpet, and with outer edge cut clean 

 off as with a knife. \\"hen we creep to the margin 

 on hands and knees and look down, we see dimly 

 through the mists the huge waves leaping against 

 the dull frowning barrier only to be hurled far 

 back in shattered spray, and yet so great is the dis- 

 tance that the sound of the conflict ascends as a 

 faint murmur only to the heights. Now a dark 

 bird darts past skirting the face of the clifif. The 

 pointed wings, the band of white on the back, and 

 the swallow-like flight give it something of the 

 appearance of a House ^Martin, but it is obviously 

 larger. 



The Storm Petrel is one of the truest birds of the 

 sea, roaming at large over the wastes of water for 

 the greater part of the year, and visiting the shores 

 only for the purpose of rearing its young. The 

 nest, formed of a few stems of grass, is commonly 

 placed in the cleft of a rock, but is sometimes found 



