40 
DESCRIPTION OF THE PHYSICAL FEATURES 
especially in stormy weather, but, save in the tunnel-way, where a 
few shags have their nests, is not used as a breeding station. We 
know of no creux to equal this in magnitude or grandeur, far 
surpassing as it does in both respects both those of the Channel 
Islands, and the Bullers of Buchan on the Aberdeenshire coast. 
Almost throughout the whole circumference of Handa — at least in 
its cliff faces — the wonderful regularity of its parallel ledges is re- 
markable ; and its innumerable crevices are crammed with razorbills, 
guillemots, puf&ns, kittiwakes, and shags, whilst a few cormorants 
occupy the highest ledges just under the cliff-edge, and rock-doves 
are occasionally seen to dash out of the caves over the sea ; rock- 
pipits and starlings are abundant in the crannies and among the 
sea-pink tufts of the cliffs. It is quite one of the most remarkable 
bird-nurseries of Great Britain. 
The Badcall Islands are well worth a visit. Colonies of cor- 
morants, sea-gulls, and black guillemots occupy the suitable 
positions. We have taken twenty to thirty eggs of the latter 
species during a short visit. 
We have visited Handa and Badcall many times, Bulgie Island, 
and Garbh Island, and other islands off the coast, but none will 
compare in interest with Handa, and all visitors to Sutherland 
should make a point of inchiding this wonderful island in the 
programme of their tour. 
Plantations and Cultivated Aebas. 
The cultivated areas are few and far between, and for the most 
part insignificant. After leaving the vicinity of Eosehall and the 
Kyle of Sutherland, a few crofters' patches occur at the mouth of 
the Cassley river, but thereafter only a patch or two at Oykel and 
Aultnagealgach, at Inchnadamph, and at each of the more inland 
situations, where the traveller can rest or tarry. Around the 
villages of Knockan and Elphin, in the south-west of the county, 
and along one shore of Cama Loch, the crofters have some more 
land under cultivation, and here the common blunting breeds in 
small numbers, though rarer elsewhere in Assynt. Along the 
shore-line of Ardvar and Stoir, at Kirkaig Bay, and around Loch 
