55 
Dr. Hcddlo .saw tlicin wlicii he was at the top shortly 1)cforo. 
About a dozen little creeks and ledges, a little further along, were 
occupied by Guillemots and Razorbills, but I again failed in dis- 
covering a single Rridled bird amongst the former. There was 
also a small colony of Jvittiwakes. As we were returning Ave saw 
against .the sky on the slope two men, and knew that our boat had 
come from Scalpa. After a vain attempt to get round the north.- 
cast point in the teeth of a gale of Avind, Ilcddle and I landed, 
scaled the steep grass slope at the eastern termination of the 
l)asaltic cliffs, crossed over and descended by tlie stair-case {tath. 
Our fishing smack Avas lying at anchor in the north-east bay. The 
men biought the boat back through the arched tunnel after a stiff 
pull. 
After food avo bestoAved our little presents all round, and Avere 
roAvarded by the bright smiles and thanks of this most interesting 
and kind family ^ loath, indeed, Avere Ave to say farcAvell — 
“All tliat’s bright must fade — 
Tlie brightest, still the fleetest ; 
All that’s sweet was made 
But to be lost when sweetest ! ” 
Mooue. 
A stiff breeze, squally under the land, and a cross tide made an 
ugly tumble outside, and as avo AA'aved our last faroAvells to the little 
group on the isthmus of shingle, our men kept taut hold of the 
rope and tiller, as noAv and again our craft heeled over to the blast, 
and wo sped aAvay through the surf and storm. Once clear of the 
precipitous coast, hoAvcver, our boat raced merrily along, and before 
the shades of evening fell, we landed again on Scalpa, and 
concluded arrangements with our boatmen to take us next day over 
the Minch to Stainchol in Staffin Bay, Skye, under the fiir-famed 
Quiraing. 
Before leaving the Shiants, I receiA'cd a small collection of 
eggs of the various birds Avhich arc found breeding there, originally 
collected by the shepherd’s family for food. The following is a list 
of the species, so far as I knoAv, Avhich arc found on the islands of 
the group. 
1. AViiite-tailed Eagle. llaUaetu^ idbicilla {L.). See remarks 
given above. 
