ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES. 35 



unoffending bird. Nevertheless, even here I observe 

 the rapid progress of cultivation ; the deep drainage, 

 the walled fields, and the extending prosperity are con- 

 tributing their unerring share towards thinning the 

 ranks of the winged visitants of the island. 



The coast along which my present walk extends is 

 remarkably varied with rock and shingle, with steep 

 abrupt declivity, and shelving sandy shore. Drying or 

 fermenting upon the rocks, stand great heaps of sea- 

 weed, large quantities of which are shipped to Glasgow', 

 Hull, &c., for the manufacture of kelp, from which Glau- 

 ber salts and other chemical substances are extracted. 

 Fitful gleams of sunshine threaten to disperse the 

 mist, developing during their short existence the 

 rugged outline of the hills of Hoy Island in bold and 

 picturesque perspective. 



On rounding a point of rock I saw and shot a female 

 wheatear (Sylvia cenanthe), which restless little bird is 

 comparatively common here. They seem particularly 

 fond of the rocks, steep banks, and stone walls of this 

 locality, and they lay a very neatly-shaped, fresh- 

 coloured pale blue egg, They are taken, or used to be 

 taken, in the summer season in great numbers, on our 

 South Downs in the county of Sussex. 



Here and there I see a solitary specimen of the 

 lesser black-backed gull (Larusfuscm) flying far out of 

 shot along the shore, while o'er the bosom of the 

 emerald ocean flap dark detachments of cormorants or 



