274 BRITISH BIRDS' EGGS. 



when their nests or young are endangered by their ap- 

 proach. The only breeding-places of this species around 

 Great Britain are in the Shetland Islands, and there they are 

 but few, Foula, Rona's Hill, and the Isle of Unst. Rona's 

 Hill is the highest hill in Shetland, and is computed to ap- 

 proach four thousand feet in height, while the ascent re- 

 quires two hours of arduous exertion ; but from the summit, 

 in clear weather, the whole of the Shetland Islands are 

 visible, washed by the Atlantic and German Oceans. This 

 hill is a favourite resort of the present species, or the Skua 

 Gulls, as they are sometimes termed, and here they breed, 

 not on the rocks which face the ocean, however, like the 

 ' true Gulls, but among the heath or moss upon the low 

 ground at the base of the mountain. The nest is large, 

 and consists of moss, grasses, etc.; and the eggs, usually 

 but two in number, are sometimes of a greenish-colour, but 

 at others of a greyish-brown, and blotched with shades of 

 grey and brown. Even in the Shetland Islands these birds 

 are by no means numerous, and are regarded with great 

 favour by the inhabitants, from a belief that they protect 

 their flocks against the Eagles. They frequently attend the 

 fishermen in their labours, and in return receive from them 

 the refuse of the fish which are caught. 



