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36 
The people of these Isles have attempt¬ 
ed to introduce a larger breed of sheep 
from Britain, blit the inclemency of the 
climate rendered their labours abortive. 
This verifies what the famous Scottish 
historian says of these Isles: 
u Adeo Jera , ut nullum animal nisi illic 
natum ferat” Buch. lib, 1. § 50. 
Here are neither hares nor foxes, 
though rabbits are plenty; the skins of 
which are sold at about half-a-guinea per 
dozen. The flesh of these is nothing in¬ 
ferior to those of Britain, though they 
are somewhat less in size. 
The other wild quadrupeds which have 
reached these Islands, are, the otter, 
brown rat, common mouse, fetid shrew, 
and bat. 
The Shetland Isles abound with sever¬ 
al kinds of birds, as curlews, snipes, 
grouse, green plovers, redshanks, herons, 
and other waders. The short eared owl 
is also frequently seen here, and makes 
