166 THE BIRD WATCHER 
these birds lay on the ye rock without a shadow of 
a nest. 
I remark now what in my slaughterous days I 
remember noticing, without attaching any meaning 
to it, viz. that there is a particular line or scroll or 
outswelling of feathers on each side of the guillemot’s 
body, all along the lower breast and ventral surface. 
They are longer than the close feathers in front, and 
begin to be flecked with grey. It is just into this 
zone of deeper plumage that the young guillemot in- 
sinuates itself when wishing to go “seepy-by.” Also, 
when the old bird flaps its wings I seem to notice 
a little depression or alcove just underneath them— 
the chick’s cradle, boudoir, or dormitory, as I am 
inclined to think—like a sleeping-bunk in the wall of 
a Highland cottage. Similar depressions I thought I 
saw once on the back of the dabchick, when I watched 
her domestic arrangements ; but I will not be sure in 
either case. 
Once again the chick comes out and walks to a 
little way from its mother. Having preened itself, it 
goes back to her, and then flaps its little wings. The 
quill feathers are growing and look just about an 
inch long. They are a good deal separated from one 
another, and have a very feeble appearance. Still, they 
might serve to make a fall a long fall, which is all that 
would be required of them to take their owner to the 
sea. The preening over, the chick, with considerable 
insistence, burrows once more under its mother’s 
wing, and I now leave, it being all mist and raining 
