Anglesey 



plodding this last strip of our journey home after 

 a hard day's work. 



Even so near the town as this grassy rise, useful 

 hints may be gathered from the frequently passing 

 sea-birds as to their haunts. 



Well out to sea the cormorant flies low to the 

 water with rapidly beating wings. He does not 

 loiter to pick and taste, but has always an object, 

 and generally a distant one, in his journeyings. The 

 bird is often alone, but if there are more than one 

 they proceed in Indian file, with the regularity of 

 flying ducks, a resemblance further heightened by 

 their long outstretched necks and quickly beating 

 wings. Should one fly nearer in, a field-glass 

 will reveal the white spot on the bird's thigh, its 

 nuptial ornament at this season. We shall find, 

 upon following the Strait south of Beaumaris, that 

 these birds regularly frequent a spit of land called 

 The Point. Here they may be seen fishing, sub- 

 merged all but the surface of their backs, their 

 necks and heads, the body appearing only when 

 the bird springs to go down head foremost for its 

 prey. It generally stays beneath the water for from 

 fifteen to twenty seconds, during which time it 

 travels considerable distances, rising to the surface 

 for five or ten seconds before diving again. At 

 times the cormorant will spiral up laboriously into 

 the air to soar at a great height with the gulls, but 

 it can only maintain itself by frequent and rapid 

 vibration of its wings after short spells of soaring. 



