XIII 



PUFFIN 



remarkable-looking birds, seen in such 

 enormous flocks on the sea cliffs, are certainly 

 the clowns of Birdland. Their quaint expression, 

 comical appearance, and funny habits give them 

 the distinction of being the most curious of any 

 of the strange feathered inhabitants of the rocks. 



When I saw the vast flocks of Puffins on the Fame Islands, 

 and again the countless hosts on Ailsa Craig, I thought I had 

 seen one of the most wonderful bird sights these islands could 

 boast of. But the number on either of these islands is insignificant 

 when compared with the gigantic flocks to be seen on the St. 

 Kilda group. 



When I looked upon the myriads, as it seemed, of black and 

 white dots, flying past me, in one long unending procession ; and 

 again gazed down on the hundred thousand dots on the sea, 

 and listened to the quick, passing whirr of a million wings, I 

 still simply sat astounded at this marvellous picture. It was a 

 scene from behind Birdland's veil that will never be forgotten. 

 Besides this vast, weird, mixed maze of travelling birds, there 

 still seemed to be thousands upon thousands sitting on the rocks 

 around me, and every one stood bolt upright, and stared hard, 

 with a quaint expression, at the strange intruder who had entered 

 their haunt with a camera. 



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