/o The Shetlands in the 



to explore " the Head " from the sea, or to attempt 

 anything with a small boat in the open. 



But between Sumburgh and the towering precipice 

 of Fitful Head, at the entrance of Queendale Bay, 

 there are two islands well worth a visit. By the kind- 

 ness of the owner, Mr. Bruce, of Sumburgh, a boat 

 had been sent for us overland on a cart to a sheltered 

 corner, and after a row of half an hour, during which 

 we were objects of great interest to a party of seals, 

 who popped up their heads and lifted themselves 

 breast high to stare at us, we managed to reach them 

 with clothes comparatively dry. 



We had expected to find on the Lady Holm a fine 

 show of Gulls' eggs and one or two nests at least of 

 the Eider Duck, of which a few pairs commonly 

 breed there. But, unfortunately, we were a day too 

 late, a boatload of boys having, as we afterwards 

 learned, effected a landing the night before, and 

 made a clean sweep of every egg that could be 

 carried off. Parties of Gulls stood in disconsolate 

 attitudes by empty nests in every direction, and 

 Oyster-catchers and smaller waders rose piping in a 

 half-hearted manner to tell the tale that they had 

 nothing left to lose. 



The only birds which seemed thoroughly contented 

 and happy were the black Guillemots, who~senests 

 are very hard to find, and often, when found, as hard 

 to get at. They rode peacefully at anchor in parties 

 of ten or a dozen in every little bay, rising and falling 

 with the swell of the water, one or other, every now 

 and then, rousing himself just enough to lift a carmine 

 leg to scratch the back of his head, or peck at some 

 little fish or other tempting morsel which happened 

 to float within easy reach. 



But the interest of the islands is not dependent 



