id that they are never seen to swim or to repose upon the waters. I
certainly have never seen them except on the wing."

There was a stiffish breeze, which had created a little sea; and it
seemed doubtful, although Mr Sedgwick was a good shot, whether he would
be steady enough to hit one of the birds he so much desired. We pulled
on, however, keeping as close as we could venture under the cliff, so as
to be concealed from their sight till we got near them. Roger Trew took
the two oars, while I sat at the helm to steer the boat more steadily.
My uncle stood up, rifle in hand, eagerly waiting till we got within
range of the birds. However, they were so eagerly engaged in preparing
the homes for their future young that they scarcely appeared to notice
our approach, but kept flying about round the cliff as they had done the
day before when we first saw them. At length one of the magnificent
birds came within range of my uncle's rifle. Though his nerves were as
well strung as those of most men, I fancied his hands trembled in his
eagerness to obtain his prize. He recovered himself, however, in a
moment, and, balancing his feet at the bottom of the tossing boat,
fired. An instant afterwards a vast mass began to descend, at first
slowly, then it passed rapidly through the air like a huge piece of snow
cast before an avalanche, and down it came with a loud thud into the
water.

"Pull! pull!" he cried; and Roger Trew exerting his arms, we were soon
up to the bird. It was still alive, though unable to impel itself
through the water or to rise. It stretched out its beak towards us, but
all power had gone; and as my uncle eagerly seized it, and drew it into
the boat, it ceased to struggle. The shot had alarmed the other birds,
some of whom were seen to soar high up into the air. Up, up they went,
till they became mere specks in the blue sky, then disappeared
altogether. Others, however, retained their position round the rock,
flying about in a startled manner, apparently unable to ascertain the
cause of the loud sound they had heard. Meantime Mr Sedgwick again
loaded, and a second bird was brought down. He offered a great deal
more resistance, but a blow from Roger Trew's oar quickly settled him.
My uncle was highly delighted with his success. The second shot had put
all the birds to flight, and it did not appear likely that a third would
be killed. We therefore put the boat's head round, and pulled along the
shor