Modern Cliff-Dwellers 



uttered a joyous shout, we saw an apparition of red 

 and gray cliffs, and Bird Rock emerged from tlie 

 mist like a grim fortress, less than half a mile away. 

 On top ot the precipice that rose sheer from the 

 ocean were a light-house and other buildings; ak>ng 

 its sides were lines of black and white that I knew 

 were birds upon their nests. 



Flying before the wind, the Rock seemed to 

 rise right upon us. The air was now clear and the 

 sun bright. Gannets, Kittiwakes, Murres, Auks 

 and Puffins were passing and repassing about us, 

 flying to and from the cliffs. Then we rounded 

 the north-east corner ot the Rock, about a gunshot 

 out from it, looking up in amazement at the swarms 

 of birds that almost filed the air, or clustered in 

 masses upon the narrow ledges ot the cliff. It 

 seemed to me like a busy street ot a great city, with 

 its tall buildings, in and out ot which the crowds 

 surged, only that all the windows were doors, and 

 it was rather alarming to see people tailing in 

 showers out of the tenth or twentieth-story win- 

 dows. The words of the Psalmist came to me as 

 impressively descriptive — " Who are these that liy 

 as doves to their windo\\'s.r" 



Our approach was noted trom the lighthouse 

 above. The British ensign flying trom the top of 

 the flag-staff was dipped in our honour, and sharp 

 rose the crash ot the dynamite bomb salute. " Let 

 go," came the shout trom above, as we rounded the 

 north-\vest corner. Down went our anchor in 

 response. We both took snapshots ot the cliff, then 

 hurried into the dory, where our baggage had 

 already been put, and were rowed shoreward. The 



S9 



