i 9 4 LOCH CRERAN. 



sea-shore, and indeed, almost on the sea beach, for it 

 over-hangs the gravel. Whether they had chosen this 

 particular spot as the most suitable one near to their 

 hunting ground, and so as to be able to commence opera- 

 tions after the few hours of semi-darkness had dispersed, 

 or because it was more comfortable than if it had over- 

 hung the grass, we know not. It is probable that the 

 radiation from the gravel would keep them warmer than 

 if they were sitting over the dew-distilling grass, and 

 rooks are sufficiently intelligent to know how to make 

 themselves snug. 



We have not seen many skates these nights, and our 

 most dexterous spearman has only struck small ones, so 

 he asks the pertinent question whether they may not be 

 coming by relays, and the older fish having deposited 

 their eggs are now followed by younger brethren ? We 

 do not profess to understand the spawning of skate nor 

 properly to appreciate the length of time required for the 

 maturity of the egg either inside the fish or after depos- 

 ition. We have already called attention to the fact that 

 thornbacks caught in November or December are found 

 supplied with well-developed eggs, although they do not 

 make their appearance at the spawning-grounds until 

 May or June. After this they disappear from these 

 grounds, and yet they are at this time full of eggs at all 

 stages of development. This would mean either that 

 these eggs take a long time to be covered with their 

 final capsule, or that the fish go elsewhere to spawn as 

 the season advances. 



We this week secured in shallow water a species that 

 we have not hitherto met in our loch namely, the 

 cuckoo-skate (Raia miraletus), of Couch. The pale 

 yellow colour and large darkly marked spot or eye on 



