98 WILD LIFE AT HOME. 



catchers, ringed plovers, Sandwich, Arctic, and com- 

 mon terns. The last three species provide endless 

 sport for the flying-bird photographer, and a visit 

 to the island whereon they all breed together can 

 never be forgotten. The picture on page 97 is one 

 of a series we made there one not particularly 

 suitable day. 



Eider-ducks breed on all the islands boasting 

 anything in the nature of suitable cover, and whilst 

 brooding are so tame that they will in some cases 

 allow the naturalist to stroke them. This confiding 

 characteristic of course affords the amateur photo- 

 grapher a grand chance, and if he does not secure 

 a good picture I am quite sure it will not be the 

 duck's fault. I passed my hand down the back 

 of the bird represented on the opposite page, both 

 before and after my brother made the study, and 

 without in the least disturbing her. 



The Bass Rock, a little further north, is an 

 excellent place whereon to study gannets or solan 

 geese, amongst the nests of which the visitor may 

 walk with the utmost ease, in one place at least, 

 and photograph the stately old birds and their 

 eggs or young to his heart's content. Mr. Mac- 

 kenzie, of the Canty Bay Hotel, which is right 

 opposite, rents the Bass, and ferries visitors over 

 by means of his own boats and men, and in fact 

 does everything in the power of a kindly Scotsman 

 to help forward the interests and enjoyment of any- 

 one desirous of visiting the majestic old crag. 



