124 the ornithologist's guide 



in every respect similar to the one used by trout- 

 fishers, for the purpose of carrying eggs in; one of 

 the boxes will be necessary to contain a few 

 clothes, &c.,and the others for packing specimens ; 

 they should be conveniently made, with a broad 

 leather strap, so that they may be easily carried 

 over the shoulder. These things must be the 

 traveller's constant companions, either in visi- 

 ting the lakes or shooting at sea ; they are easily 

 stowed in a boat, and are necessary for putting 

 the specimens into as soon as the blood gets 

 coagulated, thus preventing them from being de- 

 stroyed. 



The route I should recommend to the naturalist 

 as the most convenient one, and that in which 

 the greatest abundance of birds is to be found, is, 

 after arriving at Lerwick, and having searched all 

 the inlets in the immediate neighbourhood of that 

 place, not forgetting to visit Hang Cliff, to pro- 

 ceed by water to Catfirth, where there is a small 

 inn, and spend a few days there, which he may do 

 very profitably; from thence overland to Osnafirth, 

 where a boat must be procured to proceed to 

 Aceter, where I should advise him to remain 

 some time, as almost all the different species of 

 birds inhabiting Shetland may be found in the 

 neighbourhood. The country around is but thinly 



