NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OP GLASGOW. 207 



on the S.E. side, which is sheltered by the projecting spur, or 

 peninsula, and a skerry of some altitude. We then ran in on the 

 curl of the surf, between the skerry and Eilean Tigh, into an 

 embayed piece of smooth water ; but here found no landing prac- 

 ticable, so pulled out again by rapid, strong rowing on the slack of 

 the waves, and lay off the only apparently feasible landing-place, 

 to watch the surf. After a time, our men backed the boat in, and, 

 watching the wave, gave U. a chance, and he landed easily. 

 Next rise I landed, carrying the bag and Dr. Heddle's hammer ; 

 but he remained in the boat, as the waves now again resumed their 

 turbulence. U. and I climbed up and spent about an hour, 

 or less, on Eilean Tigh, and traversed the whole top surface. 



We took a few eggs of Razor-bills, Puffins, Eider Ducks, Oyster- 

 catchers, &c, and could have taken many more had time permitted, 

 but any change in the tide might, within a few minutes, alter the 

 conditions of our getting off. We got off comfortably; but Dr. 

 Heddle, in landing to chip off a bit of a quartz vein, and, having 

 leather-soled boots without nails, instead of india-rubber-soled shoes, 

 slipped and came upon his knee, hurting it rather severely.* 



Hereafter the breeze sprung up briskly, and we had a splendid 

 run for the Sound of Harris, pleased, but not fully satisfied, with 

 our experiences of the Flannan Isles. 



It now only remains for me to give a list of the birds which 

 were clearly identified, and to refer you to the accompanying 

 sketches of the different aspects of the group from different points of 

 view, as outlined by me from the deck of our yacht, and afterwards 

 enlarged and shaded in Indian ink. 



LIST OF BIRDS OBSERVED AT THE FLANNAN ISLES. 



Rock Pipit. — Anthus obscurus (Latham). — Common on Eilean 

 Tigh, and probably on the other islands also. 



Peregrine Falcon. — Falco peregri?ius, Tunstall. — I saw nothing 

 of this bird, but Mr. Greenwood mentions it as breeding there 

 a year or two ago. 



Oyster-catcher. — Haematopus ostralegus, Lin. — A few pairs 

 observed, and eggs taken on Eilean Tigh. 



Kittiwake. — Rissa tridadyla (Lin.). — Scattered colonies on 



* Query : As the ' ' Punctilios " of Martin were not adhered to on our first 

 landing, was this not just retribution upon our heads ? 



