Mr John MacGillivray on the Island of St Kilda. 63 
scend fastens one of the ropes under his armpits, and, holding 
the extremity of another rope in one hand, is lowered down 
the cliff. His comrade stands a little away from the edge, 
holding the supporting rope firmly with both hands, and, let- 
ting it out very slowly, while he allows the other or guide-rope 
to slip out as is required from under one foot, which loosely 
secures it. When the rope is all run out, another is joined to 
it, by means of a noose with which it is provided, and the line 
is thus lengthened to any degree. On arriving at a ledge oc- 
cupied by birds, the fowler commences his operations, easily 
securing the eggs and young 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 with a 
load of birds, along a narrow ledge, seemingly without concern 
for their personal safety. When exhibiting before strangers, 
which they are easily induced to do, they generally choose for 
the display of their agility a precipice about 600 feet in height, 
overhanging the sea, at a short distance from the village. One 
of them will then suspend himself about mid-way down the 
cliff, and, striking his feet against the rock, shoot himself out 
some ten or twelve feet or more, rebounding from it several 
times, and increasing the distance with each rebound ; per- 
forming this, and many similar feats, with all the agility of a 
professional performer upon the tight rope. It is truly sur- 
prising that no serious accident has occurred for the last ten 
years, although, a few years ago, a man fell into the sea from 
an immense height, but was fortunately picked up unhurt by 
his comrades, who were at hand with a boat. He floated, I 
was told, for some time, though, like the other natives, unable 
to swim. 
The fulmar flies with great buoyancy and considerable rapi- 
dity, and when at sea, is generally seen skimming along the- 
