BIRD-CATCHING IN NORWAY. 523 



the manner spoken of, "The fowlers," Pontoppidan says, 

 " either climb up these excessive high and steep rocks, find- 

 ing but here and there a hold or place for their feet ; or else 

 they are let down from the top, one hundred fathoms or 

 more, that they may get into the hollows under the project- 

 ing cliffs and caves formed by nature. 



" When the men climb up, they have a large pole of twenty 

 to twenty-four feet in length, with an iron hook at the end ; 

 those that are underneath in the boat, or stand on a cliff, 

 fasten this hook to the waistband of the man's breeches who 

 climbs, and a rope round his waist ; by which means they help 

 him up to the highest projection, that he can reach, and 

 fix his feet upon. Then they help another up to the same 

 place, and when they are both up, they give them each 

 their bird-pole in their hands, and a long rope tied round 

 each other's waist at each end. Then the one climbs up as 

 high as he can, and where it is difficult the other, by putting 

 the pole under his breech, pushes him up till he gets to 

 a good standing place. The uppermost of the two then helps 

 the other up to him with the rope, and so on, till they get 

 to the place where the birds build, and there search about 

 after them as they please. As there are in these rocks many 

 dangerous places which they have yet to climb, whilst they are 

 bound together with a strong rope, the one always seeks a con- 

 venient place to stand sure, and be able to hold himself fast, 

 whilst the other is climbing about. If the latter should happen 

 to slip, then he is held up by the other, who stands firm, 

 and helps him up again ; and when he has got safe by those 

 dangerous places, he fixes himself in the same manner, that 

 he may assist the other to come safe to him; and then 

 they clamber about after birds where they please. But acci- 



