32 Tue Fauna oF GLENCAIRN. III. THE FISHEs. 
which it rests, and its habit of keeping for the most part to the 
bed of the river, may help to conceal its numbers. It is locally 
known as the “beardie,’’ and I remember well while attending 
the parish school we used to consider it a great amusement to 
go “nicking beardies.’’ It is of small size, rarely exceeding 5 or 
6 inches in length, and is easily identified by the 6 barbels on the 
upper jaw, which, no doubt, give to it its local name of “ beardie.”” 
It belongs to the carps. The Bullhead or Miller’s Thumb (Cazus 
gobio) is another common fresh water fish very like the above in 
habit and appearance, but I am not aware that it is found in this 
locality (the Cairn). 
6.—-Tur STICKLEBACK (Gasterosteus aculeatus). 
The 3-Spined Stickleback is the only variety found in the 
Cairn or neighbouring lochs, and one can call to mind the pleasure 
with which you admired its brilliant colouring when just brought to 
land in a small net, or even with the hands among the gravel, 
together with a lot of minnows. This colouring we now know is 
peculiar to the male at the spawning season. It does not appear 
to be numerous, and is not a desirable acquisition to the river 
from the fisher’s point of view: this because of its pugnacious 
habits and voracious appetite for the fry of other fish. 
7.—FLOUNDER, SCOTCH FLUKE, SWEDISH FLUNDRAS (Lleuronectis 
Jiesus). 
Is not found in the Cairn of the higher district, but is so in 
some of its affluents into the Nith. It may here be remarked that 
there are extensive falls over high rocks above Cluden Mills which 
prevent fish of various kinds from ascending the Cairn. 
Here in this connection may be mentioned the 
8.—GRAYLING (Zhymallus vulgaris), 
which is very plentiful below the falls and down to the Nith. 
This fish is characterised by a larger dorsal fin, and the flavour 
of the flesh when newly cooked is compared to wild thyme, hence 
the generic name (title). It may grow to 4 or 5 lbs. weight, and 
is in best condition from October to November. 
9.—EEL (Anguilla vulgaris). 
The Common Eel is very plentiful in this district, and often 
proves a great nuisance to the juvenile bait fisher, from its sly 
