42 VIGNETTES OF NATURE 



sudden sweeping of gulls from the cliff-face 

 (where they nest) to the sea. Two or three 

 hundred, white in the sunshine, flapped 

 and glided in a narrow circle by the rocks 

 far below. 



I looked carefully, but could see nothing. 

 The spiral of tumbling whiteness and wild 

 noise continued. Something in the green 

 water was causing intense excitement. 

 From all directions other sea-birds swept 

 up; only the black shags squatted indiffer- 

 ently on their favourite rock. Then I saw 

 a smooth, dark form swirling in the water, 

 and heard a hoarse bark; the next moment 

 it had dived. It was a seal. Presently the 

 glistening animal rolled on the surface with 

 a huge dogfish held in his jaws. The gulls 

 screamed; a shrill clamouring broke out 

 as the seal, having bitten the fish in two, 

 threw one part into the air, caught it end- 

 ways, and swallowed it. Round the Point 

 he swam, while the birds fought over the 

 remains. Presently he appeared with a 



