THE SHORES OF HRITAIN. 95 



the sharp edge of the rock. Having fastened the 

 end of the rope round his body, lie is lowered down 

 by a few comrades at the top to the depth of five or 

 six hundred feet. He carries a large bag affixed to 

 his waist, and a pole in his hand, and wears on liis 

 head a thick cap, as a protection against the fragments 

 of rock which the friction of the rope perpetually 

 loosens ; large masses, however, occasionally fall and 

 dash him to pieces. 



Having arrived at the region of birds, he proceeds 

 with the utmost coolness and address ; placing his 

 feet against a ledge, he will occasionally dart many 

 fathoms into the air, to obtain a better view of the 

 crannies in which the birds are nestling, take in all 

 the details at a glance, and again shoot into their 

 haunts. He takes only the eggs and young, the old 

 birds being too tough to be eaten. Caverns often 

 occur in the perpendicular face of the rock, which are 

 favourite resorts of the fowls ; but the only access to 

 such situations is by disengaging himself from the 

 rope, and either holding the end in his hand, while he 

 collects his booty, or fastening it round some project- 

 ing corner. I have heard of an individual, who either 

 from choice or necessity, was accustomed to go alone 

 on these expeditions ; supplying the want of con- 

 federates above by firmly planting a stout iron bar in 

 the earth, from which he lowered himself One day 

 having found such a cavern as I have mentioned, he 

 imprudently disengaged the rope from his body, and 

 entered the cave with the end of it in his hand. In 

 the eagerness of collecting, however, he slipped his 

 hold of the rope, which immediately swung out 



