1889-90-] Roicnd about the Northern Cliffs. 377 



Possibly while keeping out of sight, the great body of them 

 may not be very far away. But it is never safe to express 

 opinions on the haunts of birds unless we have certain know- 

 ledge for our guide. In proof of this, who would have 

 imagined that the blue rock-pigeon, one of the shyest of the 

 feathered family, should make its home in the roof of low 

 water-washed caves, in which the waves rise and fall with a 

 booming sound, that even on a calm day reverberates through 

 the place like a succession of distant thunder-peals. Yet this 

 is the favourite abode of the blue rock, and here it builds, 

 while its food is wholly procured inland. In the fields the 

 bird is wary, and a person intent upon pigeon-pie finds it 

 almost impossible to get within range, as they rise so soon. 

 When they are in the caves, on the other hand, the great 

 trouble is to get them to rise at all. After some shouting 

 and knocking of oars against the rowlocks, perhaps a single 

 pigeon darts out in your face — the only occupant of the cave, 

 you decide ; but only fire, and a number of others will appear 

 simultaneously. Pigeon-shooting from the boat is excellent 

 sport, which has become fashionable of late, the lessees of 

 moors having now sometimes a boat and boatman engaged for 

 the season, to take them round the cliffs two or three times a 

 week on their leisure days. 



Probably before one is aware, the last rays of the setting 

 sun illuminate the sea, and sloping over the tops of the cliffs, 

 they are cast into shadow and deep gloom. It is then that 

 the mighty wall — here perpendicular and bare, there over- 

 hanging and threatening, and at another place rented and torn, 

 with its base carved and honeycombed with caves — stands 

 arrayed in all its terrible majesty. But it is already time to 

 return, for dusk has set in, and then you think of the lines 

 with four or five white flies apiece, which generally yield 

 extraordinary results at this time of day. With one end 

 fastened to the stern, the lines are thrown out, and the boat 

 rowed slowly. If the fish are taking on this particular even- 

 ing, they may keep you drawing them in as fast as you can 

 draw, a fish on every hook of a line being not uncommon. 

 Coal-fish weighing a pound or two form the bulk of those 

 caught, but sometimes there are very much larger fish among 

 them, while codlings and mackerels are also taken occasionally. 



VOL. II. 2 c 



