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 inferior 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.

[Pg 34]

The Shetland Isles abound with several 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 its nest on the ground. This species never flies, like other owls, in search of prey, but sits quiet on an eminence, watching like a cat the appearance of mice or other vermin. No partridges are found in these Isles, and many of the other birds migrate to a warmer clime on the approach of winter.

The lofty cliffs impending over the ocean, are the haunts of ea. . . Read More