. The birds of Iona & Mull . ing decided the gastronomic value of our friend, let usconsider the ways and means of obtaining a few individuals togarnish our larder withal. In winter, especially when stormy, we shall see them fishingat half tide close along the rocks and in the shallow sandy are wary; and, diving, they take care to get a good offing ifthey see the least danger. But it is nice practice to stalk one,running from one hiding-place to another, while the bird is belowwater, till we succeed in attaining a rock that is within reach ofhim. As he emerges from the water he turns
. The birds of Iona & Mull . ing decided the gastronomic value of our friend, let usconsider the ways and means of obtaining a few individuals togarnish our larder withal. In winter, especially when stormy, we shall see them fishingat half tide close along the rocks and in the shallow sandy are wary; and, diving, they take care to get a good offing ifthey see the least danger. But it is nice practice to stalk one,running from one hiding-place to another, while the bird is belowwater, till we succeed in attaining a rock that is within reach ofhim. As he emerges from the water he turns about his head insearch of anything suspicious, and carefully examines the shorebefore he will dive again, lest it conceal a lurking foe. In goodweather it is more amusing to follow our game upon its ownelement. We should approach the swimming bird to windward, 1 We can testify to the truth of the remark hy our author regarding thesimilarity of scart soup to hare soup. Vide also p. 262.—Ed. 140 THE BIRDS OF IONA AND for he prefers rising against thewind. In calm weather, if well gorged with fish, he cannot risewithout the help of the breeze under his wings. When he seeshis retreat cut off in this direction, he swims about in evidentperplexity, and often allows the boat to come within fatal quickness in knowing their enemies is very heavy, lumbering fishing-boat is allowed to pass close by, whilethe quiet, insidious approach of the small gun-bearing skiff issuspected and fled from. At first they take short dives; but if,thoroughly alarmed, they begin racing—that is, diving and swim-ming determinedly away—it is then almost useless to attempt toovertake them. When a bird sees it is no longer pursued, afterrising to the surface, he flaps his wings, then expands them for amoment till he feels the breeze, and with laborious strokes risesoff the water. These, as well as other sea birds, always try toget to windward by crossing the bows of a boat
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjectbirdsscotlandhebride
