1894-95-] The Little Auk. 145 



sea-trout has been properly provided for, and rigorously en- 

 forced, no such protection has yet been extended in the 

 interests of fresh-water trout. Some of you will be aware 

 that last session Lord Lamington introduced a Trout-Fishing 

 Bill for Scotland. It is to be hoped that his Lordship will 

 persevere with his bill, and that he will so amend it as to 

 make the period of close time extend from the 1st of No- 

 vember to the 15th of March, instead of to the 1st of Feb- 

 ruary, as is proposed in the bill. Every angler is aware that 

 the thin and spent condition of the trout during February and 

 the early part of March renders them comparatively valueless, 

 while affording a minimum of sport. In order that his Lord- 

 ship's hands may be strengthened in this laudable undertaking 

 in the interests of anglers, I would recommend that every 

 Anglers' Association in Scotland should petition in its favour. 

 Especially would I appeal to the Loch Leven Fisheries' Direc- 

 tors to take action in the direction indicated. Their powerful 

 influence could not fail to tell in securing the passing of the 

 measure, which would prove a most acceptable boon to all 

 concerned. 



VIII. — THE LITTLE AUK. 



By Mr CHARLES CAMPBELL. 



(Read Feb. 27, 1895.) 



The little auk, although not a regular visitor to our coasts, 

 occurs every now and then in winter, and in sufficient num- 

 bers to remove it from our list of rarities. It has recently 

 been attracting considerable notice, owing to the wreck of the 

 species which has lately occurred on our shores. From the 

 Orkney and Shetland islands down to Kent it has been 

 recorded in varying numbers on the coast -line, and it has 

 also occurred inland, as far west even as Loch Earn and 

 Loch Lomond. A full account, however, of this present visi- 

 tation is, I believe, being prepared for the April number 



