COLLECTION OF EGGS. 123 



carried off in a cart by wholesale dealers, who 

 purchase them from the climbers at sixpence a 

 score. They are retailed in the neighbourhood at 

 a halfpenny a-piece. 



The rocks are searched for eggs every third day, 

 provided the weather be fair. This undertaking 

 is attended with considerable risk ; and it requires 

 much address on the part of the descending climber 

 to save himself from being hit by the fragments of 

 the rock which are broken off by the rope coming 

 in contact with them. The danger is avoided by 

 moving sideways when the stone is falling, and by 

 taking care as he goes down to clear away with his 

 foot any portion of the rock which seems ready to 

 fall. " As I was lowered down," says Mr. Water- 

 ton, "the grandeur and sublimity of the scene 

 beggared all description, and amply repaid any 

 little unpleasant sensations which arose on the 

 score of danger. The sea was roaring at the base 

 of this stupendous wall of rock ; thousands and 

 tens of thousands of wild-fowl were in an instant 

 on the wing; the kittiwakes and jackdaws rose in 

 circling flight; while most of the guillemots, razor- 

 bills, and gruffins, left the ledges of the rocks in a 

 straight and downward line, with a peculiar quick 



