MopeERN CLirFr-DWweELLERS 
Now and then we started an Auk from its egg in 
some recess or under some projection of the rock. 
As this was the most accessible part of the cliff, 
many eggs had been gathered from these ledges, 
and there were not as many here as elsewhere, 
where they could not be reached. However, as we 
climbed down to the bottom ledge, we came upon 
a fine crowded 
line of Murres, 
each sitting on 
its single egg laid 
on the bare rock, 
Closevim wn diet 
the overhanging 
elite Phey ‘all 
lett stheir. eg¢s 
pell-mell when 
they saw that 
we were really 
coming down to 
them. The sud- “NOW AND THEN WE STARTED AN AUK FROM 
denness with ITS EGG IN SOME RECESS St Snes HOR 
THE ROCK 
which they flew 
started one or two of the eggs rolling, and then 
I savy a practical illustration of the wisdom of the 
plan of Nature which has made the eggs of these 
birds pear-shaped. Instead of rolling off the 
ledge, they simply turned around on their axis, 
only moving a few inches from their place. The 
shells, too, are so hard that they can withstand a 
great deal of rough usage, though occasionally I 
noticed one that had been broken. 
After inspecting these interesting sights, we 
O1 
