The Land of the Hills and the Glens 



The geese, too, remain on the island till after some 

 of the bird people have already commenced family cares; 

 and then rise calling, in a body, to make their way swiftly 

 to the great uninhabited regions beyond the Arctic 

 Circle. 



It was on the second day since the coming of the New 

 Year that the Spirit of Spring was unmistakably abroad, 

 when I again crossed to the island group. Not a breath 

 of wind stirred the waters of the Atlantic this February 

 morning, and for almost the first time since summer no 

 swell rolled shorewards. As I passed the ledge of rock 

 where the raven has his nest, the cock sailed out over 

 the face of the cliff, rising and falling on his powerful 

 wings, and at times somersaulting in the air after the 

 manner of a green plover. On the surface of the quiet 

 waters black guillemots, many of them paired, were to 

 be seen. Nearing the two small islands which lie 

 most closely to the mainland, many barnacle geese again 

 rose up from their feeding. Few birds that I know have 

 a history as interesting as that of the barnacle geese. 

 From very early times an extraordinary birth has been 

 accredited to them so extraordinary, indeed, that its origin 

 must be, I think, a mystery. The belief prevalent was 

 that this goose commenced its career, not as an egg, but 

 as a barnacle. These barnacles, fixing themselves to float- 

 ing planks in the ocean, were tossed around until, in due 

 season, a minute gosling hung suspended head downward 

 in the water. Although so minute, this embryo was fully 

 possessed of the image of its race, and leaving its prison, 

 rapidly gained the use of its wings and made its appear- 

 ance as a true goose. So firmly has this belief been held 

 that even to-day it exists, I believe, in some parts of 

 Ireland. It is possible that the tradition may have had 

 its origin in the fact that, until recently, the nesting site 

 of the barnacle goose was wrapped in mystery lying as 

 it does in the inaccessible districts of the High North 



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