SEA-FOWL SHOOTING IN THE FIRTH OF FORTH. 139 



gun, and at the first shot killed a puffin or sea-parrot, called a 

 " Tommy Norie " by the old sailor in command of our craft. 

 These pretty birds are very shy, although a good many haunt 

 the landing bay. They always lay their one egg out of sight 

 and never upon the ledges of the rock. One or two were 

 hatching in the holes of the prison where our fearless Eeformer 

 was confined : when peeping out with their quaint bills, they 

 had an ancient look that reminded one of sturdy John, with 

 his slouched hat, looking out of his loophole window. 



The razor-bills are now scarce on the rock ; they are more 

 retired in their habits, and apt to conceal themselves in the 

 clefts. I was fortunate in getting a chance at a very fine one 

 flying past, and knocked him over. There are none of the 

 small black guillemot on the Bass, although they sometimes 

 hatch on the Island of May. The common kind, called by 

 our boatmen " marrats," are very numerous. They are ranged 

 along the cliffs like companies of soldiers, and half-a-dozen 

 might often be strung at a shot. The kittiwake"s are always 

 perched at a good height upon a narrow ledge. I shot at one 

 discharge a couple of these beautiful little gulls, which toppled 

 almost into the boat. A few purple sandpipers were flitting 

 from rock to rock at the base ; I also slew a couple of them. 



There is a long narrow cavern right through the island, 

 which every year harbours a pair of small green cormorants 

 or shags ; but the great cormorant only frequents the Bass in 

 winter. We rowed into this cave, and hallooed several times. 

 Just when we had got to the point where a sulky rock barred 

 our further progress, and had given up hope, out she flew over 

 our heads, and within ten yards' distance. I stumbled, from 

 the looming swell, in rising to fire, or I could easily have shot 

 her. Having already killed a specimen, it was just as well 

 the poor bird escaped. 



We now landed at Tommy Norie bay, and ascended the 

 rock. Rabbits had been introduced by the present tenant 

 some years ago, and have increased to a great extent. They 



