Glossary
- ledge
- (n)- a narrow shelf that juts out from a vertical surface
- shrilly
- (adv.)- producing a high-pitched and piercing voice or sound
- herring
- (n)- a long silver fish that swims in large groups in the sea
- devour
- (v)- to eat something eagerly and in large amounts, so that nothing is left
- cackle
- (n)- a sharp, broken noise or cry of a hen, goose or seagull
- mackerel
- (n)- a sea fish with a strong taste, often used as food
- gnaw
- (v)- to bite or chew something repeatedly
- trot
- (v)- to run at a moderate pace with short steps
- precipice
- (n)- a very steep side of a cliff or a mountain
- whet
- (v)- to sharpen
- preening
- (v)- cleaning feathers with beak
- plaintively
- (adv.)- sadly, calling in a sad way
- swoop
- (v)- to move very quickly and easily through the air
- beckoning
- (v) - making a gesture with the hand or head to encourage someone to approach or follow.