34 COPINSAY. 



Copinsay, and is also tenanted by sea-birds, and feeds two or 

 three sheep. 



Salmon visited Copinsay on May 31st, 1831, and gives an 

 account of the birds breeding there and the eggs he took. The 

 species he met with were a pair of Peregrine Falcons, Guillemots, 

 Kazorbills, Kittiwakes, Cormorants, Shags, and Herring Gulls. 



These Peregrines are mentioned by Low as having bred there 

 from time immemorial. He also gives an account of the manner 

 of taking sea-birds' eggs there, and says that of old the inhabitants 

 paid a rent for the privilege of taking them, but that it had 

 then been given them for nothing, quaintly adding that he thought 

 the danger of taking them was a sufficient tax. 



