MEMOIR OF PENNANT. 43 



eider ducks, havelda, or long-tailed ducks, corvo- 

 rants, and the sula gannet, form the sum of the 

 palmated fowl of these inhospitable spots. 



" The manner of fowling is so very strange and 

 hazardous, that the description should by no means 

 be omitted. Necessity compels mankind to won- 

 derful attempts. The cliffs which contain the ob- 

 jects of their search, are often two hundred fathoms 

 in height, and are attempted from above and below. 

 In the first case, the fowlers provide themselves with 

 a rope eighty or a hundred fathoms in length. The 

 fowler fastens one end about his waist, and between 

 his legs, recommends himself to the protection of 

 the Almighty, and is lowered down by six others, 

 who place a piece of timber on the margin of the 

 rock, to preserve the rope from wearing against the 

 sharp edge. They have besides a small line fasten- 

 ed to the body of the adventurer, by which he gives 

 signals that they may lower or raise him, or shift 

 him from place to place. The last operation is at- 

 tended with great danger by the loosening of the 

 stones, which often fall on his head, and would in- 

 fallibly destroy him, were it not protected by a 

 strong thick cap ; but even that is found unequal to 

 save him against the weight of the larger fragments 

 of rock. The dexterity of the fowlers is amazing , 

 they will place their feet against the front of the 

 precipice, and dart themselves some fathoms from 

 it, with a cool eye survey the places where the 

 birds nestle, and again shoot into their haunts. In 



