196 HILLSIDE, ROCK, AND DALE 



out ; for sometimes we could almost believe that a 

 human voice was speaking. Some sit exceptionally 

 close ; others are off and away directly they see us. I 

 was able to secure some good pictures of these birds. 



The rocks on the south side of this island are 

 tenanted by long rows of puffins. As we get near to 

 them these look exceptionally comical as they bob 

 up and down before flying away. It is difficult to 

 approach near enough to photograph them success- 

 fully ; but by slow and careful movements we 

 succeeded in obtaining some pictures. The best part 

 of the island or at least that part covered with 

 grass or sea-campion is undermined by burrows ; 

 and here it is that the puffin lays its single egg. We 

 were fortunate enough to find one burrow, with the 

 egg close to the entrance, and this was photographed. 

 While walking over these burrows one often hears 

 a scuffle below, and then sees one of the birds dash 

 out and fly seawards. One can get an idea of the 

 number here by looking on the sea. The water 

 round about is dotted all over with puffins, or sea- 

 parrots as they are often called, while there must 

 be thousands flying around and sitting in rows on 

 the rocks. The curious waddling gait of the sea- 

 parrot is extremely funny when a number are walk- 

 ing together. 



Incubation lasts one month, and the fledgelings 

 funny little creatures covered with black down 



