Gnarlybird

Here, the word "bird" introduces a paragraph full of allusions to birds.

"Gnarlybird" might be a pun on "early bird" with "gnarl" meaning "growl," or making a harsh noise. The subsequent word "bleakbardfields" suggests blackbirds, hence cawing crows; and crows are mentioned further on (top of page 11).

The form of the word "gnarlybird" mirrors the word "knollyrock" in the preceding line.

Apparently, the word "whirlybird," meaning helicopter, was not used until circa 1951, after Joyce died; perhaps earlier there was a spinning, flying toy with that name?