CHAPTER LXIX. 



ROCK-FOWLING IN ST. KILDA.* 



" Come on then, Jock and Alick, 

 On to the sea-rocks bold ; 

 I was trained to take the sea-fowl 

 Ere I was five years old !" 



Come on then, Jock and Alick, 

 To the splintered sea-cliff's brow ! 



Where are the lads ? I wot ye, 

 On the topmost crags ere now !" 



Song of the Sea'fowler. 



THE island of St. Kilda has always been a favourite place of resort 

 for sea-fowl ; the numbers frequenting" the cliffs and rocks of that 

 locality, at certain seasons, being truly astonishing 1 . During summer 

 the natives subsist chiefly on the birds captured by the rock-fowlers, 

 and on the eggs of the various species which build in the rocks. It 

 has been affirmed that during the fowling and egging seasons, out of 

 the abundance of fowl and eggs which are taken in the island, there 

 is a sufficient surplus, after amply supplying all the natives, to sup- 

 port two thousand persons besides ! 



The fowlers of St. Kilda are considered the most intrepid and 

 expert in the world : their feats of daring and alertness in climbing 

 rocks have often been the subject of discussion. 



When the fowling season commences in St. Kilda, the native 

 fowlers have a merry-making, and feast together, as of one fraternity, 

 over the first productions of their adventures. At this meeting they 

 arrange themselves into distinct parties (generally each of four 



* Vide " History of St. Kilda ;" by the Kev. Kenneth Macauley : A.D. 1761. 



