A Dni/ 0)1 fJir Farf/rs i/> August. ?A'.) 



iiKMltliful for a bii'd of that size! It would he didiciilt to 

 iina^iiic a prctticT si.^-hl tiiaii tlicsc Tci'iis on the win;,'-. 'I'hoir 

 H-racciul ('\()!utions, sU'iidor slia|c, loiko(l tail, and rapid flight 

 I'oniindinf; one oi swallows. On this Island wcic four placers, 

 tdose tog'echer, where Kider Duok.; {Soti/a'crfu nioUi^-.s'nud) had 

 lu'sted bu^ we were, uirfortunatel.V too lato to see tlieni, jujthiag 

 hciui;- hd't to show they had nested there, save some of their 

 down. Wliile we were engaged in viewing these nesis we 

 liean' the sharp scream of an Oyster Ca'cher (Hnemafopus o.s- 

 fr(il('(,us) and looked up to se? W flyins: overhead. A few of 

 these hird.- ne^l on the Nlaiids. hut a'l tlio younu' liad Mown. 

 as had the Corinoraiits, wlijch neU on another ])art called Iho 

 ^Vamses. 



We spent the afternoon among the Terns, watching 

 tlMMr haliit-, and the okl birds feeding their young. But 

 " Time and tide wait for no man," and we had perforce, to 

 leave the fascinating occupation. 



Regretfully we clambered back, and got into our boat, 

 which was rowed out of the small, rocky bay, and the sail 

 hoisted. We had a final glimpse of the Puffms as we rounded 

 th(^ headland. A large flock were resting on the water. They 

 took flight as we drew near, and very quaint they looked fly- 

 ing luck to the Staples. We could only see their black backs 

 and their two little yellowish feet stuck out h?hind. 



We passed round the Islands, getting a close view of 

 tlie lighthouse, but we did not land again as it was getting 

 late And thus we made our way back to Seahouses, with 

 our gaze ever riveted on the wild grandeur of the islands. 

 And so ended oui" day on the Fames; a day ever toliiere- 

 mcmhei-ed, spent with Nature in her happiest mood. The 

 rooky, rugged, beauty of the scenery, alive with sea -fowl, 

 and set in a sunlit sea, had provided a vision to gladden the 

 heart of artist or bird lover alike. It was my first experi- 

 ence. Init it will not be my fault if it is my last— for J have 

 registered a mental vow to visit a similar colony at the first 

 opportunity. Then, if the Editor will allow me. I shall lie 

 pleased to tell Bird Notes readers of my furtlier adventures 

 in search of birds and V)ird life. 



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