k 



LETTERS OF AN ORNITHOLOGIST. 187 



laying outside the nest, which the birds seemed to have eaten: it was empty 

 with only one small hole broken in it, so we took possession of the three 

 eggs in your name. 



While returning, we met with several Black Guillemots, (Uria grijlle.) 

 I took a couple, and found them to have completely assumed their summer 

 plumage, though it has not yet acquired the brilliancy it possesses in the 

 breeding-season. I was about to shoot another, which had rather a peculiar 

 appearance; his body being quite black as in summer, while his head and 

 neck retained a great deal of the gray; but there happened to be a pair of 

 Eider Ducks, {Somateria moUisshna,) at a short distance, and though we could 

 not get within shot of them, yet I did not wish to disturb them, as I hope 

 they may make their nest upon Soay, or one of the surrounding rocks. 



As we were rowing along under the cliffs at the southern extremity of 

 lona, we saw a curious-looking bird ahead, which, on nearing, we recognized 

 to be a Long-tailed Duck, {Harelda ylacialis.) He was evidently a straggler, 

 and very tame, allowing the boat to come almost within shot of him before 

 taking wing. 1 happened to have a cartridge in the gun, which I sent after 

 him, and happily bowled him over. It is an adult male, acquiring his sum- 

 mer plumage, which gives him a curious mottled appearance. I have kept his 

 skin in the same manner as the last, and it will be interesting to compare 

 it with the full winter dress. The black spot on the neck is expanding and 

 spreading over the whole neck and breast, till it meets at the black portion 

 of the body. The white shoulder patch and long scapulars have disappeared, 

 and are replaced by shorter red and black feathers. The only part which is 

 imperfect is the tail; the long feathers have been cast, and the summer tail 

 has not yet replaced them. 



Of course it was too early to look for Petrels yet; so this was the whole 



., produce of our voyage, unless I add the lid of some poor sailor's chest, which 



we picked up as it was drifting in from the ocean. It bore an almost illegible 



name, Peter B , much overgrown with barnacles; but there were marks, 



slightly burnt, as if from a pipe having been frequently knocked out on them, 

 which I much fear was finally extinguished in the salt-water waves, along 

 with its owner. 



The Choughs have been for some days back busily engaged carrying wool 

 into their cave, and the last time I passed near them the pair attacked me 

 furiously, alighting within twenty yards, scolding with all their might; their 

 wings half-expanded, quivering with wrathful emotion, their bills wide open, 

 and their heads lowered near the ground, as they threw out their shrill ear- 

 piercing screams. 



LETTER VI. 



lona. May 1852. 



I SEND you with this a small box, containing a pair of Red-legged Crows, 



one skinned, and the other simply embowelled, and embalmed in the style of 



