434 FULMARUS GLACIALIS. 



birds, knocking down the old ones with a short stick, or 

 catching them by a noose attached to a long slender rod, 

 killing them in a moment by dexterously bending the head 

 backwards upon the neck. He then secures his sport by 

 bundling the birds together, and tying them to a rope let 

 down from above, depositing, at the same time, in a small 

 basket the eggs which he has collected. The dexterity of 

 these rocksmen is truly astonishing. The smallest spot is 

 considered by them as a secure enough standing -place ; and 

 they will creep on hands and knees, though cumbered Avitli 

 a load of birds, along a narrow ledge, seemingly without 

 concern for their personal safety. 



" The Fulmar flies with great buoyancy and considerable 

 rapidity, and when at sea is generally seen skimming along 

 the surface of the wave at a slight elevation, though I never 

 observed one to alight or pick up anything from the water. 

 Several which I dissected had the stomach filled with pure 

 oil, mixed up with the indigestible horny mandibles of some 

 of the Sepiadse, which, we may conclude, form their prin- 

 cipal food. It is partially a nocturnal bird, for I seldom 

 observed it at any distance from 8t. Kilda except during the 

 evening and about daybreak, at the latter time always flying 

 in the direction of St. Kilda, as if hastening homewards. I 

 have also, on one or two occasions, when at sea, engaged in 

 cod-fishing to the westward of the Harris islands, in very 

 gloomy and rainy weather, observed a few Fulmars flying 

 about the boat, probably attracted by the fish Ave had 

 caught. At its breeding-places, however, the Fulnuir is 

 always in motion, comparatively few being to be seen upon 

 the rocks, the great mass being engaged flying in circles 

 along the face of the precipice, and always in the same 

 direction, none crossing, probably on account of the con- 

 fusion this would cause among such an immense multitude. 

 I never observed them utter any cry Avhen thus engaged, or 

 even when their nests were being robbed. The Fulmar 

 does not allow itself to be handled with im})unity, but 

 defends itself Avith its powerful bill, which it can use witli 

 as much effect as good will." 



Considering the vast number that resort to St. Kilda, it 



