tain mist, their breeding place being here within a few paces 

 of the mountain top, 1,400 feet in height. More labour is 

 bestowed by the Skua Gull in the formation of its nest than 

 by other allied species ; it it large, and composed of a quan- 

 tity of the moss which grows in such moory situations ; the 

 eggs are two in number ; the time of laying them towards 

 tiie end of June ; they are easily found, and their situation 

 pointed out by the poor bird itself, in its anxiety to defend 

 them. It is impossible not to admire its unflinching bold- 

 ness of attack ; soaring high above you, it will, on your 

 approaching its nest, suddenly pounce down at a short dis- 

 tance from you to the level of your head, and flying directly 

 at you, and with great force will strike you with its powerful 

 beak, immediately rising to repeat its attack, which is conti- 

 nued during your stay, and with increasing rapidity as you 

 near its nest. It is considered by the inhabitants as the pro- 

 tector of their flocks, and with good reason, and is by them 

 protected in return. No Eagle would, with impunity, ap- 

 proach the dwelling place of a bird possessed of such courage 

 and intrepidity ; when soaring high above you, it much re- 

 sembles an Eagle in its flght ; when standing near you on the 

 ground, you would not suppose it the same bird ; it has then 

 a thick heavy appearance, and a duck-like waddle ; far dif- 

 ferent again, when, like the Arctic Gulls, it is in the pursuit 

 of other birds to plunder them of their fish, I have seen it 

 thus attack the Solan Goose. Mr. Drosier had been here 

 before me, and much to the regret of the inhabitants, had de- 

 stroyed many of their favourites, reducing the whole to a very 

 small number. 



