OF EEMA.INS OF THE GREAT AUK. 



481 



bably has been derived the sand which coTers all but the inner 

 crust of this remarkable hillock. At the end of three days, we 

 found we had made a cutting about 70 feet in length, and were 

 close to the apex. By this time we had discovered abundance of 

 shells, a few bones, and some rough stone implements, and with 

 these we started for Edinburgh. Of this material Mr. Graletley 

 undertook examination of some, and Dr. Traquair, F.E.S., and his 

 assistant, Mr. John Gribson, identified others. The two latter 

 gentlemen simultaneously were struck with the remarkable form 

 of a humerus of a bird, and guessed it to be that of the rare 

 and extinct G-arefowl, which surmise turned out to be correct. 



The mound of Caisteal-nan-Gillean, on Oronsay. The "Paps of Jura " and 

 N.E. extremity of Islay in the distance. From a photogi'aph by Mr. Gralloway, 

 reduced. 



This discovery gave so much encouragement, that it led us to 

 make arrangement to return to Oronsay in August and continue 

 the excavations. Mr. Gralloway started about the middle of the 

 month, and remained working for six or seven weeks ; I was for- 

 tunate in being able to spend about a week in his company. 



During this visit we were employed removing the upper part 

 of the mound, where the greatest deposits existed, as our expe- 



36* 



