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CHAPTER X. 



" At morn the blackcock trims his jetty wing, 



Tis morning prompts the linnet's blithest lay, 



All nature's children feel the matin spring 

 Of life reviving, with reviving day ; 



And while yon little bark glides down the bay, 



Wafting the stranger on his way again, 



Morn's genial influence roused a minstrel grey." 



IT was the dawn of early morning as I once more stept 

 on board the little steam-packet to take my final depar- 

 ture ; the waters of the bay were as smooth as glass ; 

 steaming mists hung round the summit of Hoy and 

 the adjoining rocks, and I felt that summer was at 

 hand. 



The plan of my future movements has, for the last 

 few days, been somewhat undecided, for I had hoped to 

 have extended rny tour to the Shetland Isles ; but, 

 having been so far successful in securing specimens of 

 the common varieties among the fauna of our northern 

 shores, I have decided to " cease firing," and peaceably 

 to direct my steps southwards, in the anticipation of 

 accomplishing a visit to these islands, in conjunction 



