44 THE BIRDS OF IONA AND MULL. 



paternal kindness as the Grand Signer bowstrings his super- 

 annuated ministers. 



This letter has been detained for a week, as during this furious 

 weather our posts are few and far between. One of our unfor- 

 tunate Mull postmen perished in the last snowstorm. His wife 

 was the first person to discover his body lying stark and stiff in 

 a snowdrift not many hundred yards from his own door. 



II. 



IONA, 30th January 1852. 

 THE STORM PETREL (Thalassidroma pelagica). 



THIS interesting and most diminutive member of the great order 

 of Natatores visits our coasts in considerable numbers during the 

 summer for the purpose of incubation. On fine calm evenings 

 at this time of the year, after the smooth surface of the deep has 

 put off the fiery glow imparted by the setting sun, and begins to 

 assume the dull, leaden tint of night, then the little Petrel may 

 be seen soaring along the face of the sea ; now he darts past the 

 fisher's boat as it is rowing along upon its homeward course ; is 

 seen for a moment as he flits round the lagging oars, and instantly 

 disappears among the increasing gloom of approaching night. His 

 motions are so rapid, his appearance so sudden, and he looks so 

 extremely diminutive, that it is only a quick eye that will detect 



