BUTT OF THE LEWIS. 
371 
ward was greatly retarded, in consequence of heavy 
swells from the NW., WSW., and S., prevailing 
at the same time. Our latitude at noon was 60° 28', ' 
longitude 7° 30' W. 
Several small land-birds and hawks were seen 
flying about. These were all so wearied with 
their flight, that they generally alighted on the 
ship; and several of both kinds were caught alive. 
The pursuit of the hawks was supposed to be the 
reason of these little birds leaving the land. 
The heavy sea continued all the next day- 
Though we had a moderate breeze “ right aft,” 
we made but little progress, and sometimes the 
re-action of the head-sea was so equal to the ac¬ 
tion of the wind, that the head-way of the ship 
was fairly stopped. 
At 6 a. M., of the 9th of September, we made 
land, which proved to be the Butt of the Lewis, 
and at 1 r. m. tacked close in with Gallan Head. 
The weather had a stormy appearance, which was 
indicated by the character of the clouds, and by 
the frequent occurrence of rainbows and “ wea¬ 
ther-galls.” In the afternoon, the wind coining 
at NW. by N., and blowing strong, we attempted 
to advance on our course to the westward of the 
Lewis, but the night proving threatening and 
dark, with rain and strong squalls, high sea and 
scant wind, I considered It too great a risk to at- 
a a 2 
