372 Proceedings of the British Association for 1850. 



tioned the phenomenon of the sudden rise of a compact shoal 

 of small marine animals, which, on the testimony of an intel- 

 ligent native, has given origin to Pontoppidan's story of the 

 kraken, or large flat sea-monster, called in Faroe kraka, or 

 teara-bue. The snow bunting and the purple sandpiper, both 

 of which frequent the tops of mountains, were the only spe- 

 cies of bird not known to breed in Britain. The fulmar, 

 about ten years ago, began to establish itself on the cliffs of 

 Faroe for tlie first time. Many species reported to breed 

 there by other authorities were not to be found. Several 

 traditionary particulars about the great auk were given. 

 After many observations on the habits of the different birds, 

 their relative numbers, and the etymology of their names, 

 Mr Wolley concluded by deducing a lesson from the mode in 

 which the birds are treated by the human inhabitants. Al- 

 though numbers are caught at stated times, yet as a whole 

 they rather increase than diminish, for they are not constantly 

 annoyed as they are round the coasts of Britain. Both the 

 established rights of the bird-climbers and the interest of our 

 coast navigation require that the sea-birds should be pro- 

 tected. In foggy weather they warn vessels of their approach 

 to the dangerous headlands which they chiefly frequent. 

 Already they are very greatly diminished in numbers, and 

 the persecution is constantly increasing. On the Yorkshire 

 coast slaughtering parties arrive by trainsful. It is a matter 

 well worthy the attention of the Legislature. The protection 

 afibrded to them in the vicinity of one or two lighthouses on 

 the west coast, and also round the Bass Rock and Ailsa 

 Craig, are pleasing exceptions to the general rule, and shew 

 what may be done. 



Ethnological Sub- Section. 

 E. Norriss, Esq. — Notice of a Vocabulary of the Mandrawe 

 Language (African.) Communicated by Dr R. G. Latham. 

 Dr R. G. Latham. — Remarks on Mr Norriss's Paper. 



E. Norriss, Esq. — Notice of a Vocabulary of a Sudama 

 Language (African.) 



F. Newman, Esq. — Notice of a Dialect of the Berber Lan- 

 guage. Communicated by Dr Latham. 



