40 ETON NATURE-STUDY 



his loss, stretched out both claws towards the recreant weed so imploringly that the 

 action seemed almost human. 



The gurnets had many narrow escapes, for their armoured neighbours made 

 attempts to seize them every time they ventured near. 



From under a projecting ledge of rock a new form appeared a starfish. Warily 

 it made its way out of its hidden corner into the light. As it moved slowly along, its 

 back was humped up and dome-shaped, for it seemed to use the tips only of its five 

 arms in locomotion. At the edge of the recess and before, as it were, turning the 

 corner, it lifted up one arm and kept it raised for some moments, as if to give a look 

 round before venturing further. Finally, down went the arm, the disc flattened out, 

 and the creature remained stationary during the rest of our watch. 



We felt so sorry for the starving creatures in the pool that we crushed some 

 mussels and dropped them in the water. It was quite amusing to see the commotion 

 which followed. The gurnets dived after some of the dainty morsels, and having 

 secured pieces of flesh to which particles of shell were attached shook them in their 

 mouths as a dog does to rid them of the hard fragments. 



The crabs and lobsters snatched at the food as it sank, and then rested quite solemnly, 

 holding meat in one claw, while picking it and feeding themselves with the other. 

 Their hunger satisfied, one by one they retired beneath the stones. Two lobsters, 

 evidently strengthened and emboldened by their luscious repast, met face to face in 

 front of a favoured recess. Instantaneously out came both pairs of eye pegs and the 

 warriors glared defiance at each other. Both retreated a few steps, then advanced and 

 glared anew. These actions were repeated two or three times, when the smaller 

 warrior turned tail and hid himself beneath a stone a little distance off, while the 

 larger one triumphantly took possession of the coveted nook. 



Our interest in the pool disappeared with the lobsters and crabs, so we now 

 directed our gaze seaward. Far away to the horizon the blue lines of the great 

 strong sea extended, unbroken by sign of ship or sail. Near the shore, ridges of rock 

 rose above the surface of the water like the back fins of some huge sea monsters, and 

 over these ridges the waves played and formed a white lacework of foam which 

 tumbled over in silvery cataracts and rejoined the sea. On some of these rock ridges 

 sea-birds sat solemnly in rows. Four great cormorants rose from fishing and took 

 possession of one ridge. As though at a given signal the four birds spread out their 

 wings, stretched out their long necks, and then spun round and round like tee-totums, 

 perhaps to dry themselves. They looked perfectly ridiculous during these gyrations, 

 but finally they settle themselves down quietly, but with the wings still outspread. 



