52 ORNITHOLOGICAL EAMBLES. 



I was kept a close prisoner on the present occasion ; 

 and the day succeeding, though treacherously wayward 

 in its uncertain symptoms of fair and foul, at last took 

 a turn unmistakeably threatening, and then fairly burst 

 into a gale impetuous, gloomy and wet. 



On the morning of the 8th of June this provoking 

 conflict of the elements assumed a calmer and more 

 peaceful aspect ; and having been now for so long a 

 period solely dependant upon land excursions by 

 reason .of the continued inclemency of the weather, and 

 as the morning sun beamed brightly, and the wind 

 blew steadily from the south-east with a brisk breeze, 

 and the sea, though running somewhat strong, showed 

 evident tokens of a more tractable disposition, I was 

 mainly desirous of making the circuit of some of the 

 smaller southern islands, or trying my good fortune in 

 my favourite pursuit in the vicinity of the far-famed 

 cliffs of Hoy. 



Mr. Joseph Dunn, the animal preserver of this town, 

 possesses a very cleverly built and rapid-sailing little 

 craft, now riding at her anchor in the bay. Having 

 repaired to his house, and discussed the feasibility of 

 my intentions, he was at first somewhat dissuasive : 

 and on account of the tide being now upon the flow, 

 and the consequent late hour at which the ebb would 

 commence, it was possible we might not be able to 

 effect our return before the hour of ten at night. He 

 was evidently testing the firmness of my resolution, so 



