BIRD-CATCHING IN NORWAY. 525 



trive to get down from above. This is the second way of 

 searching for birds, and is done thus: They have a 

 strong rock-line, or rope, eighty or a hundred fathoms 

 long, and about three inches in thickness. One end of 

 this the bird-man fastens about his waist in the place of 

 a belt, and then he draws it betwixt his legs, so that he 

 can sit on it ; and so he is let down with his bird-pole in 

 his hand. Six men at top hold the rope, letting it sink by 

 degrees, but lay a piece of timber on the edge of the rock, 

 for it to slide on, that it should not be torn to pieces on the 

 sharp edge of the stones. They have another line fastened 

 round the man's waist, which he pulls, to give signs when 

 he would be hauled up, or lowered, or held still that he 

 may remain on the place he is come to. This way the man 

 is in great danger from the stones loosening by the rope, and 

 so falling, which he cannot keep off. For that reason he 

 generally has on a sailor's blue furred cap, which is thick 

 and well lined, and in some measure saves the blows the 

 stones may give, if they are not too large ; otherwise, it often 

 costs him his life. Thus they often expose themselves to 

 the most imminent danger, merely to get a subsistence for 

 their poor families, trusting in God's mercy and protection, 

 to which the greatest part of them seriously recommend 

 themselves, before they undertake the perilous work. 

 There are some indeed who say there is no great clanger in 

 it, excepting that when they have not learnt the practice, or 

 are not accustomed to it, the rope runs about with them till 

 their heads are turned, and they can do nothing to save 

 themselves. It is in itself troublesome, and requires dex- 

 terity; yet those that have learnt it make play of it; for 

 they know easily how to swing themselves on the line, 



