, 1893-07-26

'N sD0NN4CP3C13 49,
towers Of the giants castles into which centu~
ries of storms from tie north east have sculp-
tured the chalk are the breeding places OF
countless thousands of guillemots, and in
lesser numbers, of razor bills, pufins, and
kittlwakes. For SIX or seven miles north of
the Danes Dyke the cliffs are systematically
worked by parties OF climbers, who hirs the
right to climb, from the occupiers Of the land
above, for from los. to 12s. a year for each
field, and make considerable sums during the
season. This work commonly begins about
the second week Of May, and, with a 'sslack"
in the middle, during which comparatively
few eggs are laid, lasts until towards the end
of July. The eggs are found most plentifully
in windy weather, and especially when the
moon is waxing near the full. There are usual
four partners in each gang-a climber and
three "hawlers," who share profits equally,
Their outfit consists Of two ropes, one OF
which hangs loose from an iron stake to serve
as the climbers guiding and signaling line.
Two grooved iron wheels of Gin. or lin, in
diameter, supported on iron pegs, are driven
into the ground, the one at the extreme edge
of the cliff, the other a little further up and
over these the second and more important
carrying rope is run to lessen friction and
avoid the risk of cutting.
A broad padded leather belt is worn by the
hawler sitting furthest from the cliff, who
breaks the STRAIN as the climber hangs below
by running the rope round his back at the
waist as he pays it out.
At the end of the carrying rope are two
broad loops Of hemp and leather, into which,
like breeches, the climber puts his legs.
There are straps to keep the breaches in their
place in case of accident.
Thus secured, with a bag over each shoulder,
tied together behind to prevent inconvsnient
s~waying, which might crack the eggs, and
provided with a stick with q miniature landing
net at one end and a fiat iron scoop at the
other, he is lowered down, steadylng himself
when he can with his feet, stopping here and
there to gather eggs, swinging himself like q
pendulum sideways from ledge to ledge, and
signalling to his companions above by a code
Of jerks as he wishes to go up or down or to
l~engtheu or shorten the guiding rope.
III is a dreadful trade" but fascinating to
watch from the calm security Of a grassy bank
on the top Of the cliff.
The eggs of no European bird vary in CO.
lour to anything like the same extent as those
Of the g%uIlIemot.
Of The 500 or 600 piled up for division into
four baskets at the end Of a lively day, which
il had been my good fortune to idle away in the
company Of a climbing party son Friday last,
no two were at all alike IN details Of colour
and marking. Among so Of them now before
nae as Wflt6 there are 9; cen eggs OF almost
every possible shade, from an unspotted al
most white to old fashioned green baize
b,otehed with ink, and blues ranging from a
fld.lCanbmdgo to something very little short
If he oxford colour. Thcre is a lavender
e I,al with pink. aloth ! of I'M foam finely
gained mahogany broVn.lte q dark kestrei's
,4g. aud others Mi Ii sp4ts OF yer
mj.eGli ptterns Of cjun9moao paie puff~.
bnvoe. and puppies ou g~ao4sts ri 5 many
tinls.
But and il isto Jhi5 that the eggs If the
guiIlemot owe their special interest endless
as are the varieties of colour Of the species,
there is little or no variety in the colouring Of
the eggs Of individuals. and it is thus possible
to identify birds and to say with something
like certainty that the same pairs occupy the
same exact spots year after year. An egg Of
peculiar marking and colour may be taken one
day. If il is early III the season there is
every probability that ten days or a fortnight
later, and again and again in following years,
another egg to match may be found on the
same ledge, climbers say "within half an
inch of the same position. Every one of the
millions of old g%uillemots which gather in
eally summer from north, south. east and
west to the great breeding places has her own
appropriated mall corner.
From their painted egg We may argue fair
w conclusivplv that the swallow which has