Nov., 1905 | AMONG THE SEA BIRDS OFF THE OREGON COAST, PART II 165 
usual meal, we were suddenly startled by an avalanche of loose gravel and rub- 
bish rattling down the side of the cliff. We jumped for the cover of the projecting 
ledge, just as a large cormorant came flopping down and with a sickening thud 
landed in a heap at our door step. He must have come from one of these nests 
that were seventy-five feet above us. Such a fall would have broken every bone 
YOUNG BRANDT CORMORANTS 
Courtesy of The Pacific Monthly 
in the body of an ordinary creature. The youngster got up a little da/.ed, twisted 
his neck in a few grotesque curves as if he were just waking up. Then he deliber- 
ately climbed over our pots and pans onto the end of our dining table, crept right 
close beside our fire, drew in his long neck and went sound asleep. 
I have been amazed at the fearful falls some of the young murres and cormor- 
