The Bird Cliffs

Polly flew west to the edge of the country, where tall cliffs drop into a grey sea. The cliffs were full of birds. Millions of seabirds nested there, calling all day like a noisy crowd. Polly flew in among them, her glasses wet with sea spray.

She loved the puffins best. They are small and round, with orange feet and striped beaks. They dig nests in the grass on top of the cliff. In the water, they fly down to catch fish. Polly saw one come up with many small fish in its beak.

Another bird lived there too: the arctic tern. It makes the longest trip of any animal. Every year it flies from the top of the world to the bottom and back, always chasing summer.

In the long evening, the birds came home to the cliff. Polly found a quiet spot and watched the waves.