MEMOIR OP PENNANT. 
43 
eider ducks, havelda, or long-tailed ducks, corvo- 
rants, and the sula gannet, form the sum of the 
palmated fowl of these inhospitable spots. 
“ The manner of fowling is so very strange and 
hazardous, that the description should by no means 
be omitted. Necessity compels mankind to won- 
derful attempts. The clifis which contain the ob- 
jects of their search, are often two hundred fathoms 
in height, and are attempted from above and below. 
In the first case, the fowlers provide themselves with 
a rope eighty or a hundred fathoms in length. The 
fowler fastens one end about his waist, and between 
his legs, recommends himself to the protection of 
the Almighty, and is lowered down by six others, 
who place a piece of timber on the margin of the 
rock, to preserve the rope from wearing against the 
sharp edge. They have besides a small line fasten- 
ed to the body of the adventurer, by which he gives 
signals that they may lower or raise him, or shift 
him from place to place. The last operation is at- 
tended wuth great danger by the loosening of the 
stones, which often fall on his head, and would in- 
fallibly destroy him, were it not protected by a 
strong thick cap ; but even that is found unequal to 
save him against the weight of the larger fragments 
of rock. The dexterity of the fowlers is amazing , 
they will place their feet against the front of the 
precipice, and dart themselves some fathoms from 
it, with a cool eye survey the places where the 
birds nestle, and again shoot into their haunts. In 
