TO ORKNEY AND SHETLAND. *J3 



the Bard of Bressa, on the west side of Rona's Hill, 

 in Northmaven, at Fitfullhead, the southernmost 

 extremity of the mainland; and at Hoy in Orkney. 

 These situations are admirably adapted for its re- 

 sidence^ being highly mountainous, with bold cliffs 

 facing the sea and in many places the summits over- 

 hanging the base. On the shelves and in the fissures 

 of these rocks they are perfectly secure from the at- 

 tacks of man ; for, from their natural position, it is 

 almost impossible to get at their nests. On my first 

 trip to Shetland I obtained two, and on my last six. 

 I am informed they are more numerous in winter 

 than in the summer, probably in consequence of 

 some migrating from Norway and Iceland at that 

 season. The cry of the Eagle somewhat resembles 

 that of a young dog, but is very acute, and may be 

 heard at a great distance. I once saw, while 

 shooting on Rona's Hill, a pair of Skua Gulls 

 chase and completely beat off a large Eagle : 

 the Gulls struck at him several times, and at 

 each stroke he screamed loudly, but never of- 

 fered to return the assault. He was sailing along 

 close to the steep part of the cliffs near the breeding- 

 places of these Gulls, and was most probably look- 

 ing out for a repast, which he would doubtless have 

 secured had he not received the hint that his com- 

 pany could be dispensed with. I have also seen 



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