SEA-CLIFFS IN NESTING TIME 145 



may-bushes on the upper ledges gleam almost as white as 

 the restless surf below. The young leaves of the ivy spread 

 a vivid mantle over 

 the rocks ; and beds 

 of wood - sedge and 

 iris fill the gaps be- 

 tween the clipped 

 thorn-beds where the 

 rabbits breed. The 

 same cliffs later in 

 summer, when the 

 spring flowers and 

 leaves have faded and 

 most of the sea-birds 

 have gone, give a 

 poor idea of their 

 wealth and brilliance 

 in May. Of all the 

 young life of spring, 

 almost the only trace 

 is a few fledged gulls, 

 full grown, but wear- 

 ing the mottled plum- 

 age of immaturity, and 

 still uttering the thin nestling cry that seems so dispropor- 

 tionate to their size. 



IVY-COVERED ROCKS 



IMMATURE GULL'S FEATHER 



I? 



