88 THE BIRDS OF IONA AND MULL. 



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 

 summer 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 dis- 

 appeared, 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 



9 



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, 



