. The birds of Iona & Mull . eeding seasonthey are very bold. They do not take much notice of a visitoruntil very closely intruded upon, and then become very vociferous,flying over his head, and frequently alighting about forty yardsdistant, or less. Their brilliant coral bills and legs are then veryconspicuous, as they contrast with the glossy blackness of theplumage. Sometimes on a fine calm clay the Eed-legged Crow amusesitself by soaring up to a great height, and then sailing round andround in circles, after the manner of the Eagle. One fine springmorning I witnessed a pair doing this when
. The birds of Iona & Mull . eeding seasonthey are very bold. They do not take much notice of a visitoruntil very closely intruded upon, and then become very vociferous,flying over his head, and frequently alighting about forty yardsdistant, or less. Their brilliant coral bills and legs are then veryconspicuous, as they contrast with the glossy blackness of theplumage. Sometimes on a fine calm clay the Eed-legged Crow amusesitself by soaring up to a great height, and then sailing round andround in circles, after the manner of the Eagle. One fine springmorning I witnessed a pair doing this when I was accompaniedby a veteran sportsman, who was almost deceived by them, takingthem for Eagles, until they began to call, which at once betrayedthem; and when they descended, the matter was put beyond adoubt by shooting one. The natives call these birds St Columbasbird; no doubt because it used to breed upon the cathedral ingreater numbers formerly, when those ruins were less disturbedby steam-boat visitors. pi»«5SB§ |j. fe - -- ,-Xp-Vvfl \°**** ^ cf-^ IV. Iona, 4th March 1<S52. The Ravens Nest, and Egg Collecting. We have now fortunately begun to enjoy some pleasant weather,and I took advantage of the very first of the fine days to launchmy boat and go round to the back of the island, to make anattempt upon a flock of Long-tailed Ducks, which have been thereall the winter; and I succeeded in killing a pair of fine of them was in such fine plumage, and so little hurt, thatI felt sorry I could not send him to you as he then appeared,looking beautiful even in death, without having to spoil hisgood looks by our clumsy hands in the operation of taking hisjacket off. A fine accessible Ravens nest, full of eggs, was wantonlydestroyed by a boats crew of blackguard fishermen last nest had been there for a course of years, and the nativesnever meddled with it. It is on a wild, secluded cliff overhangingthe sea, and the place was not canny ! Voices were heard
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjectbirdsscotlandhebride
