170 SKUA GULL. Glass IL 



geon in the Ferroe isles, relates that it likewise 

 preys on ducks, poultry, and even young 

 lambs.* It has all the fierceness of the eagle 

 in defending its young : when the inhabitants of 

 those islands visit the nest, it attacks them with 

 great force, so that they hold a knife erect over 

 their heads, on which the Skua will transfix 

 itself in its fall on the invaders. 



The Rev. Mr. Low, minister of Birsa, in 

 Orkney, from whom an accurate history of those 

 islands, and of Shetland may be expected, f 

 confirmed to me part of the above. On ap- 

 . proaching the quarters of these birds, they 

 attacked him and his company with most vio- 

 lent blows, and intimidated a bold dog of Mr. 

 Lozu*s in such a manner, as to drive him for 

 protection to his master. The natives are often 

 very rudely treated by them, while they are at- 

 tending their sheep on the hills, and are obliged 

 to guard their heads by holding up their sticks, 

 .y; ' ' on which the birds often kill themselves. Li 

 Fotila it is a privileged bird, because it defends 

 the flocks from the eagle, which it beats and 

 purspes with great fury ; so that even that ra- 



* Hoier in Clus. exot. 369. Brunnich, 35. 

 ■f This work, for want of due encouragement, was never 

 published. Ed. , ... . 



