66 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES. 



and yet " not one sparrow falleth to the ground without 

 your Father's knowledge." 



In single and rare instances the bridled or ringed 

 guillemot (Uria lacrymans] has been known to breed 

 here. It is distinguished by a slight white streak 

 running backwards and downwards in a curved line 

 from the eye. As the common guillemot could of 

 course be easily enough shot, Joseph and I concen- 

 trated all our endeavours to descry, if possible, any of 

 these birds. At last to my joy, Joseph pointed out a 

 single pair, in the centre of the group of guillemots I 

 first noticed on the lower ledge. Rowing up, I waited 

 till I observed them so close together that it seemed 

 easy enough to kill them at a shot. I fired ; but 

 instead of dropping, both birds flew away apparently 

 unscathed. This was a very grievous disappointment ; 

 but such is the fortune of war. 



It is remarkable what a power of flight these birds 

 possess, considering the smallness of the wing. The 

 muscles of the joint, however, are very strong and 

 tough, and the vibration extremely rapid and 

 sustained. 



After waiting and watching the return and departure 

 of separate birds for a very long time without avail, 

 one of my friends revisited the ledge, when I fired and 

 brought him to the water, where he gave us a long and 

 anxious chase. In the midst of it, however, to Joseph's 

 consternation, I fired just above his head, and dropped 



