FAIB ISLE AND POULA. 209 



s landing, one of onr party and myseli started on an 

 expedition to the top of the Sneug Hill to see a species of 

 gull called the bounxie or aqua-gull, which is to be found 

 only here and on Roeness Hill. This bird used to be 

 common enough, but bird-fanciers have almost killed 

 them out. Some years ago the proprietor of the island, 

 Dr. Scott of Melby, began to preserve them, and they are 

 now not so very rare. 



We had scarcely started on our expedition when we were 

 overtaken by a short wiry man, about sixty years of age, 

 who told us that he was bound to accompany every one 

 who landed to prevent the destruction of the bounxie. 

 He was barefoot, and several times expressed his pity for 

 us in climbing the hill with boots. We ware rewarded 

 for our walk by a sight of the bounxie. It is not much 

 larger, but more compact in build, than the common gull, 

 and grey, with speckles of white. Its flight ia rapid, and 

 its temper fierce, so much so that it is the terror of the 

 eagle, and hence a protection to the lambs. It ia 

 certainly a very plucky bird, as we found on a nearer 

 approach to its nest. It kept hovering close around us, 

 and every now and then with a rapid sweep passed close 

 to our heads. Had we gone much nearer the keeper 

 assured ns it would attack us, as it had often done him, 

 striking him on the face with its wings. I have no doubt 

 his account was true. 



Another rare bird, the allan, is found almost exclusively 

 on this island, and is also protected. 



The rocks on the west side of Foula are 



