TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 613 



80. Larus argentatus, 



81. Lar.fuscus, ") 



82. Lar. canus. >'Breeding in various places. 



83. Lar. ridibundus.J 



84. Sterna arctica. 



85. St. cantiaca. 



Observatio7is on the Salmonidae which were met with during an 

 excursion to the North-west of Sutherlandshire in June 1834. 

 By Sir William Jardine, Bart. * 



A short excursion was undertaken to Sutherlandshire in June 

 last for the purpose of examining the natural productions of the 

 county, for which object, including the examination of the fish- 

 eries, every facility, by permission, and direction to the tacks- 

 men, was afforded by the Duchess of Sutherland. 



The county of Sutherland having a large range of sea-coast 

 indented with innumerable bays, its shores wex'e a favourite 

 resort of the Salmon, and the fisheries were valuable and car- 

 ried on extensively. On account of the deterioration of them 

 of late years, the Duke of Sutherland took them entirely un- 

 der his own direction two years since. The close time was 

 regulated according to the season of running in the different 

 rivers. The fish were strictly preserved, and in several rivers 

 the Gilse were all permitted to run. This year (the second of 

 the improved management) the produce was in many streams 

 doubled. Experiments were also instituted (principally in the 

 Laxford by Mr. Baigrie) to ascertain whether the Gilse re- 

 turned to the river the same year in which they were spawned ; 

 and the fact that they did so was satisfactorily established. 

 The general weight of those that returned first was from three 

 to four pounds. It may be here remarked that the salmon is 

 often taken on the Sutherland shores, at the Haddock lines, 

 baited with sand-eels, and in the Durness Firth with lines set 

 on purpose with the same bait ; thereby disproving Dr. Knox's 

 hypothesis that their only food iw the sea consists of Entomo- 

 straca and the ova of star-fish. 



Of the Migratory Salmonidae, that of next importance to the 

 Salmon is what in all the North Highlands is called the Sea 

 Trout, distinguished by the tacksmen as the larger and smaller 

 kinds, the first entering the rivers about the commencement of 

 June, the second about the middle of July. The first or largest 

 fish was thought to be identical with the Tweed Whitling ; 300 



* The gentlemen composing the expedition were Mr. Selhy, Mr. James 

 Wilson, Dr. Greville, Sir William Jardine, and Mr. John Jardine. 



