80 NOTES ON THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE BELL ROCK. 



the legs, and small webbed feet. This active little bird is 

 also called the Sea Swallow, an alias assumed from its long 

 narrow wings and forked tail. 



The sea has been literally alive with large poddlies this 

 month. Morning and evening they can be seen " breaking " 

 on the surface in pursuit of "fry," splashing loudly in their 

 efforts. Though somewhat averse to our lure, we generally 

 manage to secure a breakfast. On quiet, still days, good 

 sized cod are seen prowling over the rocks ; and, though lines 

 were set at low water, they were seen at high water to pass 

 the temptation with indifference. Fishermen aver that all 

 fish have times when the most tempting delicacy fails to 

 attract their attention ; and possibly this is the case with 

 those which have been lately under our observation. Hermit 

 crabs at present are seen to be carrying spawn; and one 

 which was removed from its shell was seen to have the spawn 

 so far advanced that, when placed in a shallow pool, they 

 released their attachment with the parent, and began life as 

 free swimmers. A small fish of the blenny species, when 

 taken from the crevice in which the tide had left it, was 

 quite dark coloured, but when placed in a pool was seen to 

 adapt itself to the colouring of the bottom on which it rested, 

 assuming a mottled grey scarcely distinguishable from the 

 pool bottom. 



Painters have been busy for the latter half of this month 

 repainting the outside of the building. Favoured with suit- 

 able weather, a fortnight sufficed for the operation of donning 

 the triennial coat, which will explain the apparent proximity 

 with which it has been lately viewed from Arbroath. 



