24fi THE BIRDS OF STRATHBEO. 



are four, if I recollect rightly, but none of them of any extent, the largest 

 containing only, perhaps, about two acres. To visit these islands was now 

 iny object. Accordingly, and after a short walk, we soon reached the boat 

 which we entered, that is, Mr. B., a boy, and myself, and pushed off on 

 our mission. Being no rower however, I was very soon knocked up, as also 

 was the little fellow. Seeing which the Rev. gentleman took the oars himself, 

 and with a little aid from the boy, acted the part of the working man, at 

 least that day, by rowing the humble souter naturalist all over the Loch, 

 whilst that personage sat gentleman-like at his own ease with gun in hand 

 ready for any emergency which might cast up in the shape of a rara avis. 

 I shall never forget Mr. B.'s condescension on that occasion. It was one day 

 whilst opposite Cairney's boat-house, and Mr. B. pulling away at the oars, 

 that I shot a most beautiful specimen of the above-named Tern. There 

 was only one. The rosy tint of the breast was very conspicuous when newly 

 killed. 



We landed on the islands where we found only a few nests of the Coot, 

 Eedshank, and Dunlin. The Black-headed Gull, (Larus ridibundus,) and 

 the Arctic Tern, (Sterna ardica,) both breed on the larger island, but we 

 found none of their nests on this occasion, but have done so since. I have 

 been credibly informed by parties who have themselves been eye-witnesses 

 of the fact that at one time, say about twenty years ago, the birds were 

 so numerous on these islands during the breeding- season, that it was hardly 

 possible to set a foot down without treading on their nests. How different 

 now. This was during the late Mr. Gordon's time, of Cairney. The birds 

 were then protected, and as the Loch was his, no one durst go to the islands 

 without his permission, except at their own peril. All can go now however, 

 who have, or can get the means, if a gun is not openly in the play. 

 A number of the farmers are now possessed of boats. With these their servants 

 from the herd even up to the grieve, have easy access to the islands on any 

 part of the Loch, and the lamentable fact is that as soon as the eggs are 

 laid, they are as sure to be pilfered by these individuals, and others, who I 

 believe in many instances convey their booty to Peterhead, where they some- 

 times obtain eighteen pence per dozen for the larger species. The consequence 

 is that perhaps there is not one bird now where there used to be fifty. Driven 

 and forced away by such wholesale destruction of the eggs, and cruel persecution, 

 they are gone to seek a summer home somewhere else, where they may rear 

 their little ones in greater security. It is a great pity that such a low, mean 

 practice is thus allowed to be carried on year after year. Surely if any one 

 possessed of the least influence in the neighbourhood would but plead the 

 cause of the poor persecuted birds in the proper quarter, a stop, or some- 

 thing like a check would be put to it. That such a one will yet, and that 

 too very soon, spring up, and that he may be successful, I do sincerely hope. 



The eggs of the Great Black-backed Gull have been found on the larger 

 island, as also the eggs of other birds which are not now to be met with 



