296 Ornithological Observations and Reflections in Shetland. 



was lost to me, he used his bill as he had threatened with it, 

 and, in doing that, he opened and shut the mandibles, not 

 widely, but quickly and continuously. Were the bill pointed, 

 it would, no doubt, be used to thrust with, as is that of the 

 Grebes and Divers. The hook, though it makes this imprac- 

 ticable, must be a formidable implement for seizing, grappling 

 and biting, as I suppose is the mode of procedure. Probably 

 the opening and shutting of the mandibles makes a clattering 

 noise, but I was not near enough to hear this, either to-day or 

 some days previously, when I also witnessed the action. Later, 

 this afternoon, on a certain rock, at the entrance of the voe, 

 which is a regular shag gathering place, a young bird was most 

 importunate with its mother (presumably) to feed it, pursuing 

 her about over the rock, shaking and spreading out its wings. 

 The mother's only remedy against this — for she would not 

 comply with the demand — was to retreat and, at last, fly 

 down upon the water, where, being followed and pursued by her 

 child, she dived. I do not know why this strategy should 

 have been successful, considering the species, but it was. 



A fleet of Shags swam right up the voe, this morning. I 

 saw them on first looking out of my little window, at about 

 8 o'clock — for there is no special advantage in early rising, at 

 this time of the year. A little after I had come down and had 

 breakfast, they began to swim back again. I counted seventy- 

 six, and do not think I was far out, though they all leapt and 

 dived, from time to time. At any rate, if I erred at all, it was 

 on the side of moderation, and Mr. Hay thought that there 

 were many more. This is a very different kind of fleet from 

 that of the Swans on the eleven-miles-long strip of water behind 

 the Chesil Bank — itself the Fleet, whether therefore so named I 

 know not. A dark pirate flotilla they looked, as against that 

 silver, fairy one. Still they had a very pleasing appearance, 

 and if less graceful and stately — what bird could compete 

 here ? — on the other hand, were more their craft's masters, as 

 was particularly apparent in their diving. Schools of Purpoises 

 were also playing (as daily) in the perfectly still water ; yet 

 no calmer here, in the voe, now, than in the open sea outside. 

 Every now and again, one or other of these Porpoises makes a 

 violent rush through the water, which foams about him, and 

 I saw one resting upon it, straight out, at full length, so that 

 his head and muzzle were plainly visible, having a porcine 

 appearance. These are pleasing interludes from the perpetual 

 monotonous roll. 



And to crown all (as they might think) two male Eider 

 Ducks have come far up, and now begin to swim out, again, 

 side by side, but with a yard or so between them, in a very 

 regal manner—' two households, both alike in dignity.' 

 {To be continued). 



Naturalist, 



