30 SwiSDELLs, Rookeries of the White-hreasted Cormorant. [,^f'jui.- 



We gathered our ropes and cheerfully tramped over the hill to 

 our destination. There was no difficulty in finding this, for the 

 strong foetid odour borne on the breeze easily guided us to the 

 exact spot. We realized that the examination of the rookeries 

 would occupy some time, and, before negotiating the steep 

 declivities leading to the actual cliffs, we lunched. Then we 

 sorted out the baggage and left behind everything that was not 

 absolutely needful. The rookery first visited proved less difficult 

 of access than first appearances indicated. On the steep slopes 

 rising above the dizzy heights of the beetling cliffs grew, here and 

 there, in the clefts of the rocks, stunted specimens of a species of 

 boobyalla. To one of these a rope was securely fastened, and, 

 after being knotted in loops at intervals to afford grips, was thrown 

 over the cliffs, and the descent began. Some 20 feet below the 

 summit we fortunately discovered a " chimney," narrow and 

 tortuous, down which, clinging to the rope and steadying ourselves 

 against each projecting piece of rock, we sped until its termina- 

 tion — a broad ledge running for some distance along the cliff's 

 face — was reached. At one end of the ledge the cliffs rose sheer 

 and unbroken from the sea — a clean drop by actual measurement 

 of 95 feet. At the other end a succession of spurs and clefts led 

 to the body of the rookery. This was lucky, for we had Uterally 

 come to the end of our tether, the rope, 150 feet in length, which, 

 we had judged, would enable us to reach the nests, giving out 

 when we were within tantahzing distance of the goal. 



The rookery was so situated as to enjoy the full warmth of the 

 early morning sun and escape its dazzling noontide glare. 

 Westerly winds could not affect it : only southerly " busters," 

 which are rare, could have any disturbing effects. It was 

 observed that few birds had chosen the opposite side of the 

 narrow cliff-encircled inlet, upon which the afternoon sun shone 

 pitilessly, the rays striking the white rocks and reflecting a 

 quivering heat, which must have been intensely trying to the 

 birds nesting thei-e. All the nests in the rookery contained young 

 birds in various stages, from the tiny nesthng, naked and wrinkled, 

 to the fat, fully-fledged creature that laboriously and awkwardly 

 waddled out of reach at our approach, disgorging, in its eagerness 

 to escape, quantities of half-digested food. The plumage of the 

 young birds was of a sooty-brown colour on the breast and under 

 parts dirty white. Newly-hatched birds were naked, skin black, 

 and rather repulsive-looking objects. 



We were anxious to capture some of the older fledgelings in 

 order to examine them more closely, but our efforts were in- 

 effectual, the birds being too wary. As we cautiously advanced 

 along the rocks they shuffled farther and farther away, until, 

 reaching the limit of the ledge, they tumbled over into the sea 

 below, where, curiously enough, they appeared unable to support 

 themselves. The majority lurched helplessly, head foremost, and, 

 after some struggles, were drowned. A few birds instinctively 

 dived and were not again seen, although a careful watch was 



