CORKWING. 199 



the collector's eye ; but here they are difficult to capture, 

 owing to the numerous exits and hiding-places among 

 the stones. The deeper basins are pretty sure of con- 

 taining one or two, and generally of larger size. Here 

 the dip-net can be brought into action, and they are 

 readily taken. But the finest specimens are obtained 

 around the edges of the rocks in the free water, and 

 where there is considerable depth. Here the attentive 

 eye discerns them quietly hovering, some yard or two 

 beneath the surface, deliberately picking their tiny 

 crustacean food from the drooping weeds, or playing 

 to and fro in little parties of half-a-dozen, on motionless 

 or gently undulating fins ; a pretty sight to watch. 

 From these seaward edges of the rocks the coarser sea- 

 weeds growing in a thick fringe, when the tide has left 

 them partly exposed, hang their tips in the heaving 

 water ; and under this grateful shelter the little Cork- 

 wings, as well as other small fishes, their companions, 

 delight to disport themselves, finding copious food in 

 the purple obscurity, and getting many a peep through 

 the latticed leaves at their idler fellows in gamesome 

 play without. If, now, the collector have provided 

 himself with a stiff ring-net, and a long and stout 

 handle, he may sift out, as it were, the tenants of these 

 shades, by collecting, in succession, the drooping weed- 

 tips in the mouth of his net, and lifting it gently through 



