MODERN CLIFF-DWELLERS 



Now and then we started an Auk from its egg in 



some recess or under some projection of the rock. 



As this was the most accessible part of the cliff, 



many eggs had been gathered from these ledges, 



and there were not as many here as elsewhere, 



where they could not be reached. However, as we 



climbed down to the bottom ledge, we came upon 



a fine crowded 



line of Murres, 



each sitting on 



its single egg laid 



on the bare rock, 



close in under 



the overhanging 



cliff. They all 



left their eggs 



pell - mell when 



they saw that 



we were really 



coming down to 



them. The sud- 



denness with 



which they flew 



started one or two of the eggs rolling, and then 



I sav/ a practical illustration of the wisdom of the 



plan of Nature which has made the eggs of these 



birds pear-shaped. Instead of rolling off the 



ledge, they simply turned around on their axis, 



only moving a few inches from their place. The 



shells, too, are so hard that they can withstand a 



great deal of rough usage, though occasionally I 



noticed one that had been broken. 



After inspecting these interesting sights, we 



61 



NOW AND THEN WE STARTED AN AUK FROM 

 ITS EGG IN SOME RECESS ... OF 

 THE ROCK" 



