CHAPTER LXVI. 



ROCK-FOWLING IN NORWAY. 



" The baron hath the landward park ; 



The fisher hath the sea ; 

 But the rocky haunts of the sea-fowl 

 Belong alone to me. 



The baron hunts the running deer ; 



The fisher nets the brine ; 

 But every bird that builds its nest 



On the ocean-cliffs is mine !" 



Song of the Sea-foivler ; by MAEY HOWITT. 



THE system of rock-fowling 1 as practised from the precipitous cliffs 

 of Norway, is extremely perilous ; though frequently attended with 

 considerable success and remuneration to those who have the hardi- 

 hood and daring- to pursue it. The Norwegian rock-fowlers, at im- 

 minent hazard of their lives, climb rocks of startling altitude, leap 

 over yawning chasms, and, with a rope attached to their waists, 

 throw themselves with grace and agility over the most fearful pre- 

 cipices ; some of which present a perpendicular frontage of from four 

 to five hundred yards in height, and are washed at the base by a 

 turbulent sea. 



The men who perform these feats of daring, are termed " bird- 

 men ;'* many of whom are trained to the art from boyhood. 



A long staff, called a '* bird-pole " or " fowling-staff," about five 

 or six ells in length, is used by the fowler in climbing the rocks j and 

 a rope, called a " rock-line," several fathoms in length, is also used 

 for the purpose of descending from the upper part of the cliffs, or for 

 pulling up a comrade from below. 



The bird-pole is furnished at one end with an iron hook, which is 

 fastened to the waistband of the fowler when climbing from a boat 



* Vide " Natural History of Norway ;" by Bishop Pontoppidan. " Fseroa 

 Reserata ;" by Lucas Debes. " Description of Norway ;" by Herr Pader Clauson. 



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