298 FIELD-STUDIES OF RARER BIRDS 



to themselves. Every now and then one of those 

 on the rocks splashes into the surf flat, or, on the 

 contrary, dives into it very featly ; and here, the 

 vividly green water heing clear as crystal, one is 

 enabled to note the creature's every movement, as 

 with extended, fast-beating wings, and rapid pro- 

 pulsions of the legs stretched out at a corresponding 

 angle either side, like two sticks of red sealing- 

 wax, it cleaves the depths full well as any fish. Now 

 watch that other couple. Both birds at times 

 almost touching swim buoyantly with body high 

 out of the water and neck and head rigidly erect. 

 First one, then the other, keeps immersing its head ; 

 now one sinks its body so deep that only its head 

 remains visible, \vhilst its fellow, raising itself out 

 of the brine almost vertically, flaps with vigour its 

 stunted wings. Again, as one is driven or sucked 

 by the surge too near to the jagged crags fringing 

 the base of the cliff, it rises from its bath with some 

 ado, when, after a flight of about thirty yards, it 

 re-alights with a decided splash. By and by, after 

 a varied and pleasing exhibition of diving and 

 swimming under water on the part of all, one 

 member of the picnic party makes out to sea 

 rapidly for a hundred yards or more, turns, and 

 heads back straight for a spot nearly half way up 

 the cliff on the summit of which you recline. Just 

 before alighting on the broad rock ledge the bird 

 utters its weird, whining cry. 



Looking over the precipice cautiously, the 



