87 



CHAPTER VII. 



" Rebus angustis animosus atque 

 Fortis appare : sapienter idem 

 Contrahes vento nimium secundo 

 Turgida vela." 



HOR. Book II. Ode X. 



A GLANCE at the map will exhibit a perfect cluster of 

 small islets dotting the more sheltered water between 

 the islands of Hoy and South Ronaldsha. There is 

 no doubt that had I been in these parts three weeks 

 before, I should have had ample opportunity of 

 obtaining a more extensive variety of the genus Pal- 

 mipedes. The great northern diver (Colymbus 

 glacialis), the red-throated ditto (Colymbus septen- 

 trionalis), wigeon (Anas Penelope), goldeneye (A. clan- 

 guld), eider duck (A. mollissima), velvet scoter (A 

 fusca), scaup (A. marila), longtailed duck (A. glacialis), 

 Sclavonian grebe (Podiceps cornutus), &c. &c., had 

 just taken their departure, and nothing but the merest 

 chance could afford the slightest prospect of success as 

 far as these birds are concerned. 



It was a most auspicious morning, as, rising 

 refreshed and ready for action, I found a note on my 



