130 Sea ^ Shore Birds 



Now a pair of them has taken flight, skimming 

 with quickly beating wings over the surface of the 

 waters, making a circle on the wing, in order to land 

 once more in the sandy bay, where, after taking a few 

 tripping steps, they stand bobbing their heads in much 

 the same way as green plovers. Amongst some of the 

 islands that are grouped in the Atlantic Ocean, off the 

 western shores of the British Isles, countless thousands 

 of sea birds of various species take up their abode in 

 the spring time. 



There, in many instances, no human beings dwell. 



Nature in such spots left to her own devices is 

 absolutely lovely, whether in rough weather or fine. 



But perhaps it is on those cloudless May days 

 towards the latter end of the month, amidst the rich 

 purples and blues and greens of an ocean through 

 which the Gulf Stream wends its course, that these 

 sea-girt isles have attained the perfection of beauty. 



As the keel of your boat scrapes up on the shingle, 

 or is brought alongside some rocks affording a landing, 

 the water on all sides is clear as crystal, and the golden- 

 brown seaweed is tossing to and fro by the movement 

 of the tide. Crimson and wine-coloured sea-anernones 

 are studding the rocks like rubies ; and turquoises in 

 their turn encircle the mouths of these wonderful 

 creatures of the waves. 



Others are floating on the surface amongst the 

 seaweed flesh-coloured ones, with mauve-tipped ten- 

 tacles. 



As you land, the rocks are slippery with blistered 

 brown weed, which pops under your feet ; whilst you 



