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and forms a series of ledges in regular tiers, like
a gigantic staircase rising from tbe sea to the
summit of the precipice, which is above 1000 feet
high. On these ledges, which extend along the
face of the rock for more than a mile, and are
about two or three feet apart, are perched hundreds
of thousands of sea birds, all squatting side by side,
and equidistant from each other, about eight or ten
inches apart, in horizontal rows, their white breasts
contrasting strongly with the black rock behind.
The regularity of their arrangement on the ledges
is very grotesque. They appear like an audience
of a million or two of male pigmies in evening dress
—all shirt-front—occupying accurately measured
seats all “numbered and strictly reserved.”
They are for the most part a species of gull,
the kittiwake.
On blowing the steam whistle, a roar of wings
is heard, mingled with harsh, wailing screams, and
a huge cloud rises from the face of the rock and
darkens the sky. I have seen great clouds of sea
birds on the coast of Scotland, but nothing
approaching to this astounding multitude. I dare not
estimate their numbers, not having any means of
estimating the area of the living cloud, and the
number of strata composing it, nor any
experience of the appearance which a million or two of
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