THE ISLAND Of^ FOULA» 
249 
generally of a blackish colour all over, with exception of 
the belly, which is of a rusty or tarnished appearance. 
Considerable niimbersj however, appear with white bellies, 
and a few variously speckled on the breast, forming a 
gradation between those with black and those with white 
bellies. These varieties of colour, I imagine, are the effect 
of different ages, having observed pairs belonging to the 
same nest associated in every possible mode of combining 
the colours, two whites, two blacks5 a white and black, 
a white and speckled, and a black speckled, and two 
speckledi I should imagine that not less than 150 pairs 
breed in Foula. 
The Kittiwake Gull (Lariis rissa), from their num- 
bersy are next in importance^ and are remarkable in their 
adopting a very peculiar and circumscribed place of breed- 
ing ; they are all congregated in a natural arch, with which 
the north-west point of the cliff of Foula is perforated. It 
seems a habit of this bird to prefer covered places of breed- 
ing, and the number that crowd into the arch is so great 
as to completely whiten the face of the rock, and where the 
fowler, if he is disposed, may destroy them by bushels. 
The Puffin {Alca ardica) breeds in great numbers on 
all the high cliffs of Foula^ and their number probably ex 
ceeds that of all the other birds put together. 
That well known bird of the sailors. Mother Gary's 
Chicken {Procellaria pelagica), conceived by many of them 
to breed under the sea^ and never to alight on land, breeds 
in Foula in considerable numbers ; and an abundant sup- 
ply, both of old live birds and young ones, or eggs^ may be 
obtained from the boys of Foula for a very trifling reward. 
The eggs are of a dull-white colour, and very round at 
both ends. 
Ravens are in considerable numbers in Foula, and I ob- 
served them more numerous on one hiah cliff of c-rcat 
& to 
VOL. IV. R 
