SULE SKERRY, ORKNEY, AND ITS BIRD LIFE 17 



35 acres. It is extremely irregular in shape, and is inter- 

 sected by several gullies, some of which go right through 

 from N. to S., others forming what are locally known as goes 

 or voes. As it lies so low, and all round the water is com- 

 paratively deep, one can easily imagine, exposed as it is to 

 the full force of the Atlantic, how little shelter it can afford 

 to animal life. There is a fringe of bare rocks on all sides 

 entirely free from soil, broadest towards the more exposed 

 parts, which receives the full force of the ocean breakers in 

 winter, and protects a small part in the centre, about I 5 

 acres, which is covered with mossy soil, varying in depth 

 from 4 feet to a few inches. This more favoured part is 

 covered in summer with a heavy crop of coarse grass and 

 weeds, and from June to November is infested by myriads 

 of insects, chief of which in numbers are the earwigs. 



At one time this isle was a danger to mariners, it being 

 situated in the track of shipping passing through Pentland 

 Firth, and also in the way of vessels passing between Orkney 

 and Shetland. The shipmaster who was afraid of the 

 dangers of the Firth had to pass it either going north or 

 coming south ; and many stories are told of \vreckage and 

 human remains being found by occasional visitors in by- 

 gone days. 



On ist October 1895 a lighthouse, erected by the 

 Northern Lighthouse Commissioners, was lit for the first 

 time ; and now, instead of being a terror to mariners, the 

 isle is a guide, and undoubtedly a welcome sight, to the 

 storm-tossed sailor on a dark stormy winter's night. 



From time immemorial this isle has been the haunt of 

 vast flocks of sea-birds during the breeding season, and a 

 resting-place for birds of passage in the migration season. 

 Situated, as it is, far from the disturbing influence of man- 

 kind, these birds have returned to it year after year, finding 

 it a particularly suitable locality for rearing their young. 

 Though the island is now inhabited by the three lightkeepers, 

 their numbers have in no way decreased, for no one disturbs 

 them ; in fact they are looked upon as friends from the 

 outside world, and are carefully protected. 



During a residence there of seven years I paid some 

 attention to their manners and customs, and also took 

 49 C 



