THE BIRDS OF STRATHBEQ. 245 



The Whimbrel, i^Numenius pliccopus,) pays occasional visits during summer; 

 I have seen them several times, but do not think they breed there. In the 

 month of June, last year, I had the pleasure of meeting, for the first time, 

 ■with that rare Totanns in this part of the country, the Greenshank, (T. 

 glottis.) There''was only one; and after frequenting the same place, namely, 

 that part of the margin of the Loch beneath the farm of Rattery, for two 

 days, it disappeared. The Water Rail, (Ballus aquaticus,) may be ranked as 

 an occasional straggler, but may in some instances beeed by some of the 

 burns v?hich feed the Loch; as also does the Water Ouzel, or Crow, (Cinclus 

 aquaticm,) and the Pied Wagtail, [MutaciUa YarreUii.) 



Swallows are abundant about the Loch, and cannot fail to attract the 

 notice of every one. The Swift, {Ilirundo opus,) the Barn Swallow, (11. 

 rustica,) the Window Swallow, (H. urlica,) and the Bank Swallow, (//. riparia,) 

 all breed in the neighbourhood, the Loch affording them a rich supply of 

 food; a sand bank near by the Loch on its south side, is yearly chosen by 

 the latter species as a nesting-place, and was this summer completely perfo- 

 rated by them, they were so numerous. 



An individual, till recently, and for a long time, in the service of the 

 Rev. Mr. Boyd, but at present acting as coast guardsman at the Rattery 

 Station, was one day, about twenty-two years ago, whilst fishing on the Loch 

 in a boat, a good deal surprised at the plunging of a great Eagle,, as he 

 said, near him: the bird rising again exhibited a good- sized trout in his bill. 

 This was a large and splendid Osprey, (Pandion haliaettis,) and so regardless 

 of ray informant's presence, that he says he could have struck him several 

 times with his rod. 



The Eoseate Tern, (Sterna Dongalii.) Well do I remember my first visit 

 to the Loch, how delighted and charmed I was with its appearance. As 

 well do I also recollect my second, from the circumstances connected with 

 it. It was a year afterwards, namely, in May, 1849^ Mr. Bojd had received 

 word that I was to be down on a given day, and had got all things ready 

 for an excursion on the Loch. Circumstances, however, prevented my arrival 

 on the day appointed, and on reaching my friend Mr. Ewerdir.e's, I found 

 a letter from Mr. B., stating his disappointment at my non-appearance. 

 Next morning, however, I reached the manse, and for the first time beheld 

 the smiling and benevolent countenance of the minister of Crimand, and 

 received a most hearty welcome from him. Such was the reception given, 

 that I was entirely overpowered by the kindness of the Reverend gentle- 

 man, we being then entire strangers to each other. I learned with regret 

 however, that the individual who had been engaged to work the boat for 

 me the previous day, was not now to be had; but, as no other one could 

 be got that day, I had at the same time the pleasure of being told by 

 Mr. B,, that he would go himself and assist me as far as he could. This 

 was glorious news. 



I have already hinted that there are islands on the Loch. Of these there 



