8



which it has gone. It has even transfixed itself upon a sharp-pointed stick,

or upon a knife, when held up by an islander guarding himself against an

attack ; and dogs, foxes, and birds are instantly and bravely attacked, and

in many cases not only driven off but actually killed by the powerful wings

and beak of the bird. Is a gull coming across the hill, loaded with a large

sillock, herring, or pollock — the skua is at it in a moment, rushing boldly

against the poor gull, and with a blow of its wing causing the smaller bird

to drop its prey, which the skua carries off in triumph. Small wonder, then,

that as we landed on Hermaness we found the summit of the hill deserted

of all other birds, who were quietly pursuing their fishing occupation by the

cliff near the sea, leaving the grassy slopes free to the predatory skuas.


A skua’s nest lay at our feet! Just a hollow in the ground, a few dried

weeds, and two dark olive-green eggs blotched with brown, but above us

was the parent bird in a high state of excitement, roaring itself hoarse with

shrieking, and beating its great wings with impotent fury. We drew back

instinctively, and then caught sight of the female bird a few yards off,

poised exquisitely but a couple of feet from the ground, hovering around,

trembling all over in excitement, and with its reddish-brown wings spread

to their fullest extent, its black shining bill ready to strike did we dare

molest the nest, its black legs tucked back under the plumage, and its eyes

gleaming with anger. It was a wonderful sight. The male bird making

the uproar, and ready to dart down on us with relentless energy; the female

silent, but ever alert and watchful; and we three disturbers of their peace

watching them quietly. What right had we, however, to so needlessly

irritate these beautiful birds ? But a moment we stayed, and then quickly

moved aside and pursued our way ; and like the flight of arrows converging

on a given point, as we left the spot, did the two birds in a flash regain their

nest, and silence reigned again.


We had seen the great skua, his nest and his eggs, and we were grate¬

ful for the sight as on and on we trudged,Tired with the long walk and eager

for a cup of tea.


(To he continued.)


[Reprinted, in an abridged form, from the Boys' Own Paper, with the Author’s permission.]



OUR BIRD-ROOMS AND AVIARIES.


I.


MY BIRD-ROOM.


Bv Reginald Phillipps.


Most of us are the victims of circumstances ; and most of those who,

like myself, love their birds, would like to provide better accommodation for

them than circumstances will usually permit. Besides, we all have our own

peculiar ideas of what is right and what is best; and some of us keep one

class of bird, some another. It follows of necessity, therefore, that bird-

rooms are of all sorts and sizes, and arranged in many different ways; and

doubtless we may all pick up a wrinkle or two by reading accounts of the

homes in which our fellow aviarists keep their feathered pets.


Some people seem to consider that a bird-room is a room in which to

place cages containing birds ; and there are some who — the victims of

circumstances, you know—find it difficult to keep their birds except in

cages. The room is fitted up with shelves, and on the shelves are placed

the cages, and in the cages are placed the birds, all much like a bird-shop,

or, to put it more prettily, like the Parrot House at the Rondon Zoological

Gardens. The habits of caged birds may be studied in such a room, but not

the habits of birds. If you desire to study the habits of your favourites, and

to find out what are their respective natures, why birds have been con¬

structed by the Master Builder some in one way, some in another, and all

so marvellously according to their several requirements, you must let them

have as much liberty as possible. If you have not an out-door aviar}’, have

one made ; if you are likewise a victim, and cannot do so, at any rate let

your birds fly loose in your bird-room, as far as practicable.



