on Rambles among the Wild Birds. 129


We had by this time become almost bewildered with the

multitudes of birds we had seen, but the boatman told us that,

as the tide was low and the sea calm, we had a good opportunity

for landing on the Megstone Rock. Accordingly we steered

N.W., and soon arrived at this famous but unsavoury haunt of the

Common Cormorant {Phalacrocorax carbo'). As soon as we landed

our nostrils were assailed by ‘ a very ancient and fish-like smell,’

and when we got among the nests, this, under the hot rays of the

sun, became almost unendurable. The surface of the rock was

painted white with guano, the accumulation of many years, and

the rotting remains of fish were strewn in all directions. Hinc

illce lacrimce. However, w r e put up with this for some time as

the colony was a large and most interesting one. The big black

birds flapped lazily out to sea on our approach and swam about

in a scattered flock near their home. The nests consisted of large

piles of dry sea-weed placed on the bare rock, and contained

pale green eggs roughly coated with lime, or newly-hatched

young. These latter were black and naked, and were, I think,

the ugliest little creatures I have ever seen. Among the

Cormorants’ nests we were surprised to find two or three eggs

of the Guillemot, laid in crevices of the rock. We were glad to

leave the Cormorants in possession of their island, and to take

big draughts of pure sea air. The fishy odour, however, still

seemed to cling to us, and it w r as some time before we could get

quite free from it. Even now, when I see a Cormorant, I seem

to get a whiff of the Megstone Rock.


A steady and favourable breeze had by this time sprung

up, and so, as it was getting late, we determined to turn home¬

wards. The breeze freshened just at the right time, and so,

skimming merrily over the water, we soon found ourselves once

more at the little harbour at Sea Houses, after having spent a

day among the wild sea - birds which will long live in our



memories.



