54 



THE BIRDS OF lONA AND MULL. 



for the night ; after trying several, they at last select a sheltered 

 inaccessible ledge overhanging the sea, upon which they lie down 

 with their legs tucked under them. 



These birds are at all times tame, but at the breeding season 

 they are very bold. They do not take much notice of a visitor 

 until very closely intruded upon, and then become very vociferous, 

 flying over his head, and frequently alighting about forty yards 

 distant, or less. Their brilliant coral bills and legs are then very 

 conspicuous, as they contrast with the glossy blackness of the 

 plumage. 



Sometimes on a fine calm day the Eed-legged Crow amuses 

 itself by soaring up to a great height, and then sailing round and 

 round in circles, after the manner of the Eagle. One fine spring 

 morning I witnessed a pair doing this when I was accompanied 

 by a veteran sportsman, who was almost deceived by them, taking 

 them for Eagles, until they began to call, which at once betrayed 

 them ; and when they descended, the matter was put beyond a 

 doubt by shooting one. The natives call these birds St Columba's 

 bird ; no doubt because it used to breed upon, the cathedral in 

 greater numbers formerly, when those ruins were less disturbed 

 by steam-boat visitors. 



L,^ ^ ^y 



