198 



BIRD WATCHING 



one of the great ' stacks ' opposite, kittiwakes are 

 roosting in the most extraordinary numbers, and so 

 close together that they look not like birds, but 

 some outcrop on the surface of the rock. They 

 consist, no doubt, of the partners of all the sitting 

 birds on the ledges. 



"1.5 A.M. The ledge is now stirring into life again, 

 and so, too, the great block of kittiwakes on the 

 'stack,' from which birds keep dashing out, whirling 

 and circling, settling again or visiting their sitting 

 partners on the nests, before flying back to it. But 

 the clamour of voices is, as yet, slight. 



"Now, at 1.25, it is beginning to be greater, 

 " 1.50. A general preening amongst the guillemots, 

 though a good many still lie asleep. But soon they 

 wake, too, and begin, for now it is light, bright, and 

 morning." 



