ORNITHOLOGY OF SECTION D, 1850. 
Landt. I think it probable that these stories, so prevalent in all 
countries where Eagles are found, are many of them true, and not 
referrible to one common tradition as has been supposed. I have 
heard in the Highlands several confirmatory particulars. 
Wild Geese formerly bred in Faroe if not now, and Wild Swans 
by tradition in two places, each called Oknadal, from this circum- 
stance. 
I will not now attempt to compare the ornithology of Faroe 
more closely with that of the north of Scotland and its islands. 
Numerous species are absent, and even the ubiquitous Sparrow 
is there unknown, but there are no doubt many stragglers beyond 
those which we happened to see. 
We cannot conclude this subject better, than by deriving a lesson 
from the simple and happy people of the Faroe Islands, in their 
treatment of the birds which surround them. It is a melancholy 
thing, to see how at almost all the great breeding places of sea- 
fowl round Britain, the numbers are rapidly diminishing every year, 
m consequence of the pitiless persecution which afilicts them — 
Slaughtering parties visit them by trainfuls. The rights of the bird 
ib established by long usage, require the assistance of the 
Ke and all persons concerned in the coast navigation, should 
n Test themselves to procure, by Act of Parliament or otherwise, 
ein for sea-fowl at those places, or at that time of year 
or : they throw themselves entirely upon the mercy of mankind, 
; Rh protection alone can their sure and speedy extirpation 
spies jy and one of the best kind of beacons, the flight and the 
a of birds, be preserved, to warn vessels in foggy weather of 
ee to the dangerous headlands of our coast. There are 
appreciated thouses at which the yalue of the sea-fowl is properly 
cae a - and these, with the Bass Rock and Ailsa Crag,* afford 
¥ oe See to the general rule, and show what may be done. 
any more 4 are not seriously lessened by legitimate bird-catchers 
an in the case of Poultry in a farm yard. 
* 
the Hh aoe ry Bay the Bass Rock is not an exception. In the summer of 1848, 
Were shooting ae ae two parties in boats, at about a quarter of a mile distant, 
se In mere wantonness, allowing them to float unlifted. It is 
ths aT “ies approach any boat which comes near their haunts, and that 
vantage of + e numbers assemble and hover over it, and this habit is taken 
favourite a A, ose would be or rookery sportsmen. The Bass used to be a 
the numb. ® ‘or us to visit from 1816 to 1820; and on revisiting it in 1848, 
Mr, W S of sea-fowl had very visibly decreased. We cordially agree with 
Olle 5 + . 
hy YS suggestion for their preservation during the breeding season,—W. J. 
Se 
When 
