246 
ACCOUNT OF 
bonxies, we should never return safe again. The men, too, 
feared " the bonny claith-houses would never stand the 
north winters."' The news from the metropolis arrives in 
Foula a few months after date, a good deal changed in its 
course northward, but more adapted to the ideas of the 
Foulaese. I was seriously asked if it was true the King 
was coming to Foula. 
The name of Foula being supposed by some to have 
been imposed from the quanity of fowl that inhabit it, in 
a description of the island, some notice of these may be 
given ; and, though ill qualified for the task, I shall state 
some particulars relating to such of the feathered tribes as 
particularly distinguish Foula, and shall therefore com- 
mence with the Bonxie, or Skua Gull, the Lestris catar- 
ractes of naturalists. 
This bird, I beheve, in the British Islands, breeds only 
in Shetland, and there only on three hills, the Snuke, 
Ronas, and Saxafiord, which are also the three highest. On 
Foula they seem to have taken exclusive possession of the 
Snuke. In its nature it appears to partake both of the na- 
ture of the gull and eagle tribes. On Foula^ it breeds 
generally about a height of 1300 feet, and nowhere but 
on the Snuke. It is easily tamed, and is, I understand, 
a very docile bird *. I often observed it walking about 
within a few yards of the tent, and without fearing our 
approach. When, however, his nest is approached, he 
shews a determination to defend his possession with his 
life. Ravens, eagles, hawks, or other birds, are soon 
* A young one, which I kept for some time, and afterwards sent to 
Mr Neill, Canonmills, neai; Edinburgh, has proved remarkably docile. It 
is now (May 1822) acquiring new phimage, which has every resemblance to 
that of the mature bird. 
