240 THE BIRDS OF STRATHBEO. 



too, that all the birds in the world come there in winter; and, to use the 

 words of the murderous gunner, "afford most excellent sport." 



Should the neighbouring ocean rise frowningly, by angry tempests tossed, then 

 do the feathered tribes, that love to sport on or near its surface in calmer days, 

 betake themselves in great numbers to the more peaceful waters of the Loch, 

 and mingling with the numbers already spoken of, form vast hordes, and, as 

 may be easily conceived, constitute a very motley group. In such amazing 

 crowds are they at times, that when they rise en masse, as they not un fre- 

 quently do, especially when disturbed, they literally darken the air; and the 

 noise they make on such occasions is perfectly deafening. But it is not these 

 countless hosts, however interesting and beneficial they may be to others, that 

 we have so much to do with as it is the various species of which they are 

 composed; and to enumerate these as far as is known to me; I will now 

 proceed; but first, and before I go any farther, I would beg leave to state 

 here that it is to my much lamented friend, the late Rev. James Smith, of 

 Manquhitter, and to whom I have already alluded in the pages of "The 

 Naturalist," that I am most indebted for my information concerning the 

 "Birds of Strathbeg" — an authority, alas! alas! for his early, too early 

 departure, which I am truly proud to acknowledge. I am likewise under 

 the greatest obligations to his highly -esteemed and worthy brother in-law, Mr. 

 Henry Ewerdine, W. S., Cairness, who lives near by the Loch, and to several 

 members of his kind and intelligent family for their very valuable assistance 

 in these matters — assistance which I trust will ever be remembered by me 

 with the deepest gratitude and love; being, as it was, as cheerfully given as 

 it was thankfully received. 



To others, and to all who have in the least way aided me in that quarter, 

 and in this undertaking, I would also beg here to offer my sincere and 

 heartfelt acknowledgments. This done, I would now proceed with my catalogue, 

 commencing with the Cijgnidce, as beinir the largest genus which visits the 

 Loch. 



Although small parties of these birds annually arrive, only two species have 

 as yet been distinguished, namely, the beautiful White Hooper, (Ci/gnus ferus,) 

 and the no less fair and elegant Polish Swan, (C immutahilis;) the latter, 

 however, may be said to be of rare occurrence. I am only aware of two 

 specimens which have been obtained, the one in J814-, and the other in 1826. 



Of Geese there are pretty large numbers. — 



The Bean Goose, (^Anser seyetum,) is yearly met with, and at times very 

 plentiful. A somewhat small species of this genus, with a rose-coloured bill 

 and dark Vermillion feet and legs, was shot in the spring of 1848, and was 

 supposed to be a specimen of A. hrachyrhynchus, or Pink-footed Goose. What 

 else could it have been? It was alone when discovered, and extremely shy, 

 so that it was with considerable difficulty that it was obtained. It was sent 

 south for preservation; but what became of it afterwards I am not aware. 



The White- fronted, (^A. erythropus,) and the Bernicle, (^A. leucopsis,) have 



