100 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES. 



These birds breed in great numbers upon the face 

 of the Black Craig, but taking up their position for the 

 purpose at such a fearful and dizzy height as completely 

 to astonish the beholder, notwithstanding his previous 

 experience in these matters. My only chance 

 accordingly consisted in first gaining the foot of the 

 craig by water, and then essaying every resource that 

 steady shooting and length of range might liberally 

 offer. 



It will be easily understood that unless the wind 

 were to blow steadily and lightly from the desired 

 quarter, my efforts would not only have been fruitless, 

 but would undoubtedly have been attended with the 

 utmost peril. It was therefore not only indispensable 

 that the sea should be sufficiently undisturbed to 

 permit me to approach these rocks with impunity, but 

 I was also desirous that it should be most especially 

 calm and motionless to enable me to command the 

 full advantage of a more true and accurate aim. 



A gentle breeze from the N.N.E. at last set in, 

 to my unbounded satisfaction, which, by blowing off 

 the land and from the craig, insures a space of very 

 sheltered water at its base, and a tolerably smooth sea 

 for many miles to the westward. 



comparatively accessible ; but this bird in Orkney, particularly 

 if wanted in a hurry, is undeniably the most difficult to 

 obtain. 



