42 THE ORNITHOLOGIST'S GUIDE 



nions, and found a six-oared boat I had engaged 

 the night previous in readiness for me, and we 

 immediately proceeded for the islands of Eskness, 

 which are small, and are situate at the mouth of 

 the bay of Stenness, forming a natural breakwater, 

 and affording shelter to the fishing-station from 

 the wind and sea. The weather was stormy, and 

 a heavy swell was setting on the islands, but I 

 managed to shoot a female Eider Duck, and took 

 the nest with five eggs. These birds are some- 

 times very numerous here, along with the Oyster- 

 catcher, Terns, &c, of each of which species I pro- 

 cured several eggs. There is good pasturage upon 

 these islands in the summer season, on which the 

 inhabitants of Stenness take the advantage of 

 browsing a few sheep. In landing on the outer 

 island an accident happened to me which might 

 have been attended with serious consequences* 

 The swell being very heavy at the time, we durst 

 not approach so near as to step out of the boat 

 upon the rocks, but had to watch the opportu- 

 nity of a swell raising us so that we could spring 

 out upon them. This I attempted to do with a 

 gun in my hand, but instead of landing on the 

 rocks, I fell directly under the bow of the boat, 

 which the next sea would have thrown upon me 

 but for the exertions of the boatmen. I fortu-- 



