342 COMMON OBJECTS OP THE SHORE. 



making its seed-weed nests. The Rev. C. A. 

 Johns, in his "Week at the Lizard," describes 

 the cormorant as an unfailing visitor on the rocks 

 in that district. " One low rock in particular, 

 near Pen Olver," says the writer, " has generally 

 on it a conclave of twelve or more birds, solemnly 

 digesting their last meal, or expanding their wings 

 to the sun, while in the water a solitary head at 

 intervals shoots up, jerks itself from side to side, 

 and immediately disappears." 



The Gannet or Channel Goose (Sula alba) re- 

 sides constantly on our coast, and has great strength 

 of wing, soaring over the sea, and darting into it 

 with inconceivable rapidity. It is a white bird, 

 with black-tipped wings, the young ones resem- 

 bling downy balls like powder-puffs. It is of great 

 value to the people of St. Kilda, both for its num- 

 ber of eggs and soft down. 



Vast crowds of ducks and geese come to us in 

 the winter months from colder regions, and some 

 make their dwellings on the coast, while others 

 build their nest inland. The loud noise made by 

 a flock of these as they pass in some winter's day 

 over our heads, has a singular sound, and accus- 

 tomed as we are, from childhood, to deem that the 

 rustling of their wings tells of coming rough and 

 cold weather, they scarcely receive a welcome. 

 Many, however, can remember when, in their early 

 days, they had the fancies which Clare describes 

 as in the mind of the shepherd boy : 



" He hears the wild geese gabbling o'er his head, 

 Then, pleased with fancies in his musings bred, 

 He marks the figured forms in which they fly, 

 And, pausing, follows with a wondering eye, 

 Likening their curious march, in curves or rows, 

 To every letter which his memory knows." 



