40 THE ORNITHOLOGIST'S GUIDE 



quently occurs in this country, when the wind is in 

 a particular quarter, that the higher parts of the 

 hills are invisible, while the lower grounds are per- 

 fectly clear. We found some difficulty in getting 

 down the rocks into the boat, and the boatmen 

 were very glad when they got safe on board, not 

 having much faith in my steering by the compass 

 on land in thick weather. 



The next morning I set off for Stenness, a fishing- 

 station, distant about seven miles, and as we had to 

 travel by land, I procured one man and a boy as 

 guides, and two horses to carry the luggage \ on 

 our way we called upon Mr. John Sheen atTanwick, 

 and experienced another instance of Shetland ho- 

 spitality. Mr. Sheen is one of the principal land- 

 lords in the neighbourhood. After partaking of 

 some refreshment, and making him acquainted with 

 the object of my visit to that country, he politely 

 invited me to remain at his house, assuring me he 

 would do all in his power to make me comfortable, 

 and assist me in procuring specimens. I thanked 

 him for his liberality, but declined the offer of his 

 kindness, as the situation was not adapted to my 

 pursuits. Before we parted, he insisted on my 

 visiting him that evening from Stenness, which 

 he informed me was about one mile and a half 

 from his residence. We proceeded on our journey, 



