14 



BIRDS -NESTING. 



even larger rocks falling. Numberless possibilities of 

 loss of self-control exist in the situation, and it is 

 well to be lashed to the seat in such a way that your 

 friend at the top can haul you up dead or alive in 

 case of accident. 



The most serious peril attaching to this hazardous 

 part of oological work, however, is that the rope is 



Fig. 



liable to break. Common sense would dictate that you 

 make sure it can bear your weight ; nor does the trouble 

 usually lie here, but in the fact that the chafing of the 

 taut line over the rocks at the edge of the cliff slowly 

 cuts the threads, till an extra strain occurs, the last 

 strand parts, and the unfortunate sportsman is dashed 

 to a horrible death below. Such a fatal result of 



