ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES. 31 



turnstone (Strepsilas interpret). This was the only 

 instance in which I observed this bird throughout the 

 whole course of ray tour. 



It produces a species of fearful pleasure to saunter 

 along these airy terraces of nature ; the sea unheard 

 below, its motion rendered visible alone by the 

 churning of its whitening waves as you peer beyond 

 their beetling brow. 



After a parting survey of the charming view which 

 Thurso Castle so prettily commands, I prepared for 

 progress. A dog cart brought myself and luggage to 

 the quay. Here the Orkney mail steamer was only 

 awaiting the arrival of the post-bags to commence her 

 passage. I was the only passenger on board ; the wind 

 was rising, and I made my mind up for a lively 

 sea. 



When once under weigh, and well beyond the 

 precincts of the very picturesque bay of Thurso, the 

 murky cliffs of Dunnit Head gradually became the last 

 visible remnant of the mainland of Britain. Later in 

 the afternoon, and well out upon the open sea, my 

 attention was perceptibly drawn to the fact that we 

 were now exposed to the full broad sweep of the 

 Atlantic, mingling its restless waters with the cooler 

 rapids of the Northern Ocean. Here the Frith of the 

 ever dreaded Pentland rolls its boiling current with a 

 force that many a silenced voice could once have testi- 

 fied. Squalls of the most fearful kind often come on 



