LLANDDWYN 27 



I caught sight of it again rounding the rocks at the. 

 entrance to the principal cove, and as it appeared to 

 be heading landwards, I went down to the water's 

 edge for a better view. Continuing its violent 

 paddling, the bird flapped along the water directly 

 towards me until I was able to see that it was a Com- 

 mon Guillemot, using its wings for progression upon 

 the water as it uses then when fishing beneath it. I 

 remained quite still, and a few minutes later it was 

 cast up by the sea on to the shore a few yards from 

 the spot where I was standing, and lay, inclining 

 sideways, on the gravel, its feet being doubled back 

 under its body. 



Passing between the bird and the water, and placing 

 my cap upon its head, I secured it, and bore it above. 

 My Pacific friend informed me that Guillemots are 

 frequently driven ashore here during rough weather 

 in autumn, and lie on the sand until the following 

 tide refloats them ; for the bird has no power to take 

 wing from the ground, but requires to launch itself 

 upon the air from some higher rock, or to gain a 

 start by means of such support as the water affords 

 it when, beating it laboriously with its wings, it rises 

 from the surface of the sea. 



Upon examining the Guillemot, I found on the 

 belly a large, semi-circular abrasion, such as might 

 have been made by the lower jaw of some big fish. 

 The place was inflamed and cleared of plumage, and 

 the mark so disposed as to suggest that the bird had 

 been gripped from behind up to the middle of the 

 back and belly, the back having been defended by 

 the stouter plumage, The legs and feet were power- 

 less ; and, when the bird was placed in water, unless 



