GLEANERS OF THE SEA 31 



sometimes they associ9.te (for the purpose of rearing their young) with other sea- 

 birds which are accustomed to breed on cHfifs overhanging the sea. At such 

 places, every shelf and narrow ledge is hidden by myriads of Auks, Guillemots 

 and Puffins which lay their unprotected eggs upon the bare rocks, or in slight holes 

 on the faces of the cliffs ; while farther in the chasms the Gulls resort, and, form- 

 ing colonies of their own, hatch and rear their young in peace. All day long the 

 rocks are alive with the countless winged inhabitants, some arriving with food for 

 their young, and others departing to seek it ; and, should they be suddenly disturbed 

 by any unwelcome intruder, the whole population rises on wing with a noise like 

 the sound of distant thunder, in numbers that fairly darken the sky. Although so 

 crowded, the different species dwell together in amity, and when their arduovis 

 duties are over depart, each to seek its accustomed haunts, and to enter upon its 

 usual mode of life, enlivening with its presence the bleak shores of the watery 

 world. 



