144 Sea ^ Shore Birds 



From their habit of paddling on the surface of the 

 sea as they fly, giving the idea that they are walking 

 on the waves, they derive their name of petrel, or 

 little Peter. 



To see the guillemots in their full glory, we must 

 visit a more rocky and precipitous island than the one 

 we have just been on. 



So we steam away to effect a landing where, even 

 on the smoothest days, the swell of the Atlantic con- 

 stantly washes somewhat roughly upon the rocks on 

 the verge of the sea. However, one can watch one's 

 opportunity, and, as the swell lifts the landing-boat up 

 to some large flat boulder, step out, taking care not to 

 slip up as you do so. 



It is certainly very whiffy near the top of the 

 island, up which you have clambered from rock to 

 rock ; for besides the shags, which have their nests in 

 some of the large crevices, there is a colony of cor- 

 morants. The nests, which for the most part contain 

 well-grown young ones, with a sprinkling of rotten 

 eggs, are great uncouth accumulations of seaweed. 



Lying about, absolutely putrid under the hot sun, 

 are portions of wrasse, some of which have been pre- 

 viously half-digested and ejected. 



There may be a fish quite freshly caught, which 

 the cormorants, disturbed by our arrival, have not had 

 time to give their children. 



Walking amongst the nests, and holding our noses, 

 for the stench is abominable, the young birds stretch 

 up their ugly bodies, distending their throats and 

 croaking wheezily. 



