FRAGMENTS FROM THE SEASHORE. 241 



CORMORANTS AND COMMON 

 GUILLEMOTS AT HOME. 



not very remote connection with the state of the 

 tide, and an excess of industry in diving sug- 

 gested the timing of its efforts upon my watch. 

 I found that on an average it remained sub- 

 merged thirty seconds, and was five seconds on 

 the surface breath-taking between each plunge. 

 Directly hunger had been satisfied, or the chances 

 of catching any more fish had passed, it retired 

 to a favourite rock, and spreading out both wings, 

 basked in the warm sunshine according to the 

 beloved custom of its species. 



There is always something strangely sug- 



