MODERN CLIFF-DWELLERS 



having previously made a record of the species 

 of the birds in order, as they sat on the eggs. 



One of the most interesting episodes during our 

 stay was the descent in the crate to photograph the 

 birds nesting on the adjacent wall of the cliff. 

 This west side of the island was under the full glare 

 of the afternoon sun, splendid for instantaneous 

 exposures. I got into the crate, with plenty of 

 plates, and was 

 swung out and 

 lowered, until I 

 gave the signal to 

 stop. All about 

 were many inter- 

 esting subj ec ts, 

 especially Kitti- 

 wakes, that I had 

 found no oppor- 

 tunity to photo- 

 graph before, also 

 groups of Murres, 

 and off to one 



side some fine Gannet ledges, with long arrays of 

 the great, snowy birds. The best subject was a 

 mass of Murres of both kinds on their eggs, and 

 just below them three Kittiwakes on their nests. 

 They were all within ten feet of the course of the 

 crate. When it was stopped opposite some good 

 subject I held the camera on the little railing and 

 got the exact focus of the birds, which did not 

 appear to mind my presence particularly, though 

 they kept uttering their notes, and now and then 

 one would leave, though it soon returned. Then I 



77 



AN INCUBATING BRUNNICH S MURRE 



