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it dips into the valley； growing vaguer and larger； runs； quicker than the
wind； uphill； smaller and darker on the soft and dry grass； and rushes to
meet its bird when the bird swoops to a branch and clings。
In the great bird country of the north…eastern littoral of England； about
Holy Island and the basaltic rocks； the shadows of the high birds are the
movement and the pulse of the solitude。 Where there are no woods to
make a shade； the sun suffers the brilliant eclipse of flocks of pearl…white
sea birds； or of the solitary creature driving on the wind。 Theirs is always
a surprise of flight。 The clouds go one way； but the birds go all ways：
in from the sea or out； across the sands； inland to high northern fields；
where the crops are late by a month。 They fly so high that though they
have the shadow of the sun under their wings； they have the light of the
earth there also。 The waves and the coast shine up to them； and they fly
between lights。
Black flocks and white they gather their delicate shadows up； 〃swift as
dreams；〃 at the end of their flight into the clefts； platforms； and ledges of
harbourless rocks dominating the North Sea。 They subside by degrees；
with lessening and shortening volleys of wings and cries until there comes
the general shadow of night wherewith the little shadows close； complete。
The evening is the shadow of another flight。 All the birds have traced
wild and innumerable paths across the mid…May earth； their shadows have
fled all day faster than her streams； and have overtaken all the movement
of her wingless creatures。 But now it is the flight of the very earth that
carries her clasped shadow from the sun。
Footnotes：
｛1｝ I found it afterwards： it was Rebecca。
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