16 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 



mouth of the river Tees ("Naturalist," 1902, p. 350), and 

 thus the bird's claim to be regarded as British was satis- 

 factorily established. Now, thanks to Mr. Laurence, an 

 interesting" addition has been made to the Scottish avifauna. 



SULE SKERRY, ORKNEY, AND ITS BIRD-LIFE. 



By JAMES TOMISON. 



SULE SKERRY is a small island situated 35 miles N.W. by 

 W. from Hoy Head in Orkney, and 32^- miles N.E. by E. 

 from Cape Wrath. It is thus almost out of sight of all land, 

 and only the higher ground in Sutherland and Orkney is 

 visible during clear weather. The island lies very low in 

 the water, the highest point towards the centre being 45 

 feet above high water. The coast line averages about 1 5 

 feet, rising at one or two points to about 30 feet. The 

 rocks are composed of gneiss, similar to the rocks in 

 Sutherlandshire, and quite different from anything found in 

 Orkney. About 4 miles distant, W. by S., is the Stack, a 

 solitary rock rising directly from the water to a height of 

 140 feet. On the west side it rises perpendicularly, but on 

 the east it slopes gradually from sea to summit, and is thus 

 accessible to the occasional visitor. Fifteen miles further on, 

 in a southerly direction, is a sunk rock, I 3 feet under water, 

 known as the Nun Rock ; while close to Cape Wrath 

 about a mile distant is a reef of considerable size. These 

 reefs run in almost a direct line to Sule Skerry, and as the 

 water, with the exception of a few deep gaps, is compara- 

 tively shallow, we can almost venture to think that at one 

 time it has formed part of the mainland. 



The name Sule is supposed by some to be derived from 

 the Gaelic word meaning Solan ; others say it is a corruption 

 of seal, the name Seal Skerry being given to it on account 

 of the vast number of seals that in time past made it their 

 home. 



The island is of some considerable extent, being 900 

 yards long by 500 yards broad, with a superficial area of 



