THE ORKNEYS TO THURSO. 21 



f ME ? 



" My horses were in good condition. Dandy and Billy, the coach -horses, 

 were as sleek as seals. Gentleman Dick, my saddle-horse, showed manifest 

 pleasure at seeing me, put his cheek against mine, laid his head on my 

 shoulder, and would have nibbled at my ear had I permitted it. One of my 

 Chinese geese was sitting on eggs; the rest were sailing like frigates in 

 a pond, with a whole fleet of white-topknot ducks. The hens were vying with 

 each other which could bring out the earliest brood of chickens. Tafly and 

 Tony, two pet dogs of a dandy race, kept more for show than use, received 

 me with well-bred though rather cool civility ; while my little terrier slut, 

 Ginger, bounded about me almost crazy with delight, having five little Gin- 

 gers toddling at her heels, with which she had enriched me during my ab- 

 sence. I forbear to say anything about my cows, my Durham heifer, or my 

 pigeons, having gone as far with these rural matters as may be agreeable." 



WASHINGTON IRVING. 



Orkney Nicknames Shapinsey Defence of Hellersay Orkney Pano- 

 rama M.r, Balfour's Shorthorns and Shetland Ponies The Legend 

 of "Spunky" Orkney Sheep Crosses Sheep Marks .Devon and 

 West Highland Bulls " Fishing Pork" Orkney Garrons The For- 

 tescue Harriers S \vanhinster --Postal Difficulties A Sea Sick 

 Horse The Message from the Ice The Hoy Farmer Consoled. 



^ Q ANDEY andBurray for rabbits, Rousay for grouse, 

 V and Shapinsey, Stronsey, Westrey, and Sandey 

 for crops and cattle/' was the terse synopsis of the 

 Orkneys by " a friend in council." Then he waxed 

 more diffusive, and told off on his fingers some of the 

 fancy names of the natives. The men of Hoy are 

 " Hawks/' because they once " supplied the great 

 falcon from their cliffs to the pageants of crowned 

 heads/' The " Seals" dwell in North Konaldsay, 

 and the "Awks" (a diving sea-bird) in Westrey. 



