260 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



of comparatively low hills, having their longer slopes to the 

 north, with glens running from the central ridge in both 

 directions. The two principal heights are Ben Hiant, opposite 

 the north end of the Sound of Mull, and Ben Laga, lying more to 

 the east; the former being, according to the Ordnance Survey, 

 1728 feet, and the latter 1678 feet, above sea level. 



The geological formation of the eastern half of the district is 

 gneiss, while the western end is composed of trap rocks. A band 

 of limestone runs across from Swordle in the north to Mingary on 

 the southern shore, which seems to be part of a continuous band 

 or vein which passes down the west coast of Scotland, through 

 Skye, Eigg, Morven, and Lismore, appearing at intervals, and 

 again disappearing below the superincumbent rocks. 



The shores are generally rocky, sometimes rising to fine cliffs, 

 as near the Point of Ardnamurchan, and consequently they are 

 not favourable for wading birds ; there are, however, one or two 

 more favoured localities, which are frequented by a few. One of 

 these spots is the mouth of the river Sheil, where there is a small 

 spit of sand, uncovered at low water; another is the Bay of 

 Kentra, which is about a mile and a half square, and is entirely 

 uncovered at low water. This large area of foreshore abounds in 

 various varieties of shell-fish and minute crustaceans, and conse- 

 quently is resorted to by a goodly number of ducks and waders, 

 to whose habits it is well suited. Both of these localities are 

 upon the northern shore. The only other is the Bay of Kilchoan, 

 and rocks lying between it and the old castle of Mingary on the 

 southern shore, opposite the Island of Mull ; but the extent of 

 suitable shore is in this case much more limited than at Kentra. 

 Besides these there are a few smaller inlets and sandy bays, in 

 which occasionally a stray wader may be found. 



The few isolated rocks off the coast, belonging to Ardnamurchan, 

 which are frequented by birds, are in Loch Moidart, between 

 Kentra Bay and the mouth of the Sheil, and in Loch Sunart. 



There are numerous fresh-water lochs scattered through the 

 district, although none are of any great size, except Loch Sheil, 

 which, however, only touches it for about a mile. 



As in most parts of the Western Highlands, the extent of 

 cultivated ground is very small, and confined to a few spots, 

 mostly on the sea- coast. 



As a rule, the district is bare of wood, especially towards the 



