File:Reptiles and birds. A popular account of the various orders; with a description of the habits and economy of the most interesting. (1873) (14562933080).jpg

Identifier: reptilesbirdspo00figu (find matches)
Title: Reptiles and birds. A popular account of the various orders; with a description of the habits and economy of the most interesting.
Year: 1873 (1870s)
Authors: Figuier, Louis, 1819-1894 Gillmore, Parker
Subjects: Birds Reptiles
Publisher: New York : D. Appleton and Co.
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Biodiversity Heritage Library

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scatch butterflies in the meadows. But chasing these graceful swimmers at the foot of their rockyretreat is mere trifling in comparison with the dramatic and dangerousincidents which occur on the summits of the steep giant cliffs. Theintrepid inhabitants of the Faroe Islands, which are situated in theAtlantic Ocean, to the north of Scotland, between Norway and Ice-land, proceed as follows when in search for eggs : The fowler beginsoperations by swarming, as schoolboys call it, up a pole, which car-ries him to the first projecting ledge of rocks which will afford afoot-hold. This point attained, he throws a knotted rope to his com-panions, who soon join him on his perch. The same manoeuvre isperformed, stage by stage, until they reach the summit. But this isnothing in comparison to the danger which is to come, viz., visitingthe recesses in which the nests are found. Upon the edge of the rock a beam is run out horizontally; tothis beam a two-inch rope, which is not less than 900 feet in
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l\ —Gathering Eggs in the Faroe Islands EGG- GA THERING. 2O9 length, is attached. To the end of this immense Hne a plank istied, upon which the fowler seats himself. This man holds in hishand a light cord for the purpose of signalling to his companionsabove. The fowler, thus seated, descends from cHff to cliff, andfrom rock to rock; he visits every nook and cranny in search ofplunder, making an ample harvest of eggs and birds, either takingthem by hand, or striking them with the end of his line. Theproduct of his perilous expedition he places in a sort of havresack,which he carries slung from the shoulder. When he wishes tochange his place, he gives a preconcerted signal with his cord, im-parting an oscillating motion to it in the direction of that part ofthe rock he wishes to visit. When the harvest is deemed sufficient—when the days sport is concluded—his companions are notified,and the fowler is hoisted to the summit of the cliff (Plate IV.) How incredible is the address, and

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