CHAPTER III. 



THE BIRDS AND FO\YLER.S OF ST. KILDA {coiltiuucd). 



WHILST sitting on the rocks round Village 

 Bay Avatching Ijirds through my field glasses, 

 I several times observed the curious behaviour of 

 the wind on the water during squally weather. It 

 would descend from the hill-tops round about, and 

 striking one particular spot spread out in an almost 

 perfect circle, producing an effect very similar to 

 that of a stone cast into the middle of a placid pool. 



Of the dangers of squally weather at St. Kilda 

 we had heard a great deal, but certainly never 

 dreamed that we should soon have such a very 

 disagreeable example of its treachery as to make 

 us doubt seriously whether we should ever live to 

 tell the tale of our experiences. 



It came about in this way. We had Ijeen unable 

 to do any photographic work one rather blustering, 

 showery day, and as the weather cleared up, and 

 apparently became quite settled towards evening, 

 young Fergusson invited my brother and me to go 

 fishing with him in Village Bay. 



We conmienced operations by the gap dividing 

 St. Kilda from the Doon, and rowed quietly along, 

 huo-o'ino- the shore until we came to the end of the 

 latter island. As we put about to pull back I 

 noticed a black, ominous-looking cloud looming up 

 behind Conagher, and asked the boatmen, wlio 



