THE ORNITHOLOGIST. 



Vol. I. OCT OBEE, 18 96. No. 8. 



THE STORMY PETREL AT HOME. 

 By Robert Godfrey. 



Early in July last, whilst rambling in Shetland, I heard 

 that eggs of the Stormy Petrel had been procured on an island 

 not far from where I was at the time residing, and being 

 anxious to add this species to my own collection, I sought out 

 the parties concerned, and readily gained their consent to 

 accompany me on a second trip to the island. The three of us 

 — including a boatman, Tammie — pushed off from shore, 

 hoisted our sail, and with the wind in our favour, reached the 

 island, on which a " Brough," or Pictish fortress stands, in 

 safety. As we drew near, a Richardson's Skua was flying 

 about, and the Arctic Terns became lively and excited, whilst 

 an immense gathering of Shags swam seaward from its shore. 



The heaps of stones, relics of the ancient fortress, have in 

 several places no sod upon them, but lie heaped in wild profu- 

 sion together, whilst in other parts they are covered with 

 pasture grass, growing thick and close so as to obliterate the 

 nature of the underlying masses. Leaving the boat to be cared 

 for by my two more expert companions, I passed along a 

 narrow grassy slit between two banks, and began a search 

 for the object of my visit. The Oyster-catcher had joined 

 the screamers, and in wild excitement flew around, whilst 

 Starlings were only too evidently showing their distress at our 

 intrusion of their breeding haunts. Off darted a rabbit that 



