124 STRA Y FEATHERS FROM MANY BIRDS. 



These so closely resemble the ground around them that 

 the closest scrutiny is required. The eggs are so much 

 like the pebbles which strew the beach that the best way 

 to find them is to look out for three pebbles arranged 

 together. The old birds return to the place and clamour 

 loudly all the time we stay. We have examined their 

 home and its contents, and will now leave the poor birds 

 in undisturbed possession of their speckled treasures. 

 To rob them would be to blot the fairness of this 

 lovely morning when all seems so eloquent of contented 

 peace ! 



Rowing out from shore again, we make our way across 

 the narrow strait towards another island. Here, wher- 

 ever our eyes may be turned, we are sure to see numbers 

 of big gray and white birds all standing head to wind, 

 either on the rock boulders or on the ground, and every 

 moment similar birds are rising from all parts of the 

 luxuriant sea campion and grass that carpets much of 

 the higher ground. These big birds are Lesser Black- 

 backed Gulls. As soon as we land here the scene of 

 uproar is almost indescribable. From every part of the 

 island big Gulls rise into the air, and their noisy cries of 

 yak, oft repeated in many modulated strains, increase the 

 excitement of the stirring pageant. Wherever we may 

 chance to wander we are sure to come upon dozens of 

 Lesser Black-backed Gulls' nests, some empty, others con- 

 taining eggs in every stage of development. Some of 



