Class II. S K'U A G U L L; 53* 



o-reaf force, fo that they hold a knife erect over 

 their heads, on which the Skua will transfix itfelf in 

 its fall on the invaders. 



The Rev. Mr. Lozv, minifter of Birj\ m Ork- 

 ney^ from whom an accurate hiftory of thofe 

 iflands, and of Shetland may be expected, con- 

 firmed to me part of the above. On approaching 

 the quarters of thefe birds, they attacked him and 

 his company with rnoft violent blows ; and intimi- 

 dated a bold dog of Mr. Low's in fuch a manner, 

 as to drive him for protection to his its alter. The 

 natives are often very rudely treated by them, 

 while they are attending their fheep on the hills ; 

 and are obliged to guard their heads by holding 

 up their fticks, on which the birds often kill them- 

 felves. In Foula it is a priveleged bird, becaufe it 

 defends the flocks from the eagle, which it beats 

 and purfues with great fury •, fo that even that ra- 

 pacious bird feldom ventures near its quarters* 

 The natives of Foula on this account lay a fine on 

 any perfon who deftroys one : they deny that it 

 ever injures their flocks or poultry, but imagine ic 

 preys on the dung of the Arffic^ and other larger 

 gulls, which it perfecutes till they mute for fear. 



Mr. Ray and Mr. Smith * fuppofe this to be the 

 Cornijh Gannett but in our account of that bird 

 we fhall fhew that it is a different fpecies. Mr. 

 Macauly-j mentions a gull that makes great ha- 



* Hift. Kerry. 

 f WJi, Sf. Kilda, p. 758, 



Vol. II, N n yoke 



