LETTER IX. 85 



They are easiest shot while feeding abroad in the fields ; at 

 the caves a shout will cause them to fly out, but with such 

 suddenness and swiftness that it requires something of a 

 Battersea Pigeon-shooter's knack to succeed in hitting them 

 quick enough. An indifferent shot (after knocking over one or 

 two which may be incautiously napping on the outer ledges) had 

 better conceal himself either in a cave or in a good position above 

 it ; in a short time a bird is sure to come darting swiftly for its 

 accustomed haunts, but upon catching a glimpse of a lurking foe, 

 he stops his rapid career, flutters his pinions for a moment, 

 uncertain what to do ; that momentary indecision is fatal- — down 

 he falls ! whUe a roar as of a volcano bellows along the vaulted 

 roof, and the cave is filled with wreaths of sulphurous smoke. 



Writing from lona I must not conclude without reminding 

 you of the name of our patron saint, St Columba, the Dove that 

 first brought to this land the olive branch of mercy. 



IX. 



loNA, lith April 1852. 



Last Saturday (the 10th), being a very fine day, I and a young 

 friend paid a visit to Soay to see what the feathered world was 

 about. We did not meet with much life on our way ; the winter 

 birds have mostly left, and the summer ones have not yet arrived 



G 



