256 THE REV. MR. BO YD. CHAP. xm. 



became a fresh-water loch, as it remains to this day. 

 The scenery in the neighbourhood is by no means 

 picturesque ; but the loch is very attractive to sports- 

 men, in consequence of the number of wildfowl that 

 frequent it, or which breed among the islands and 

 marshes at its western extremity. 



The Rev. Mr. Boyd was the parish minister of 

 Crimond. His hospitable manse was always open to 

 Edward when he visited the neighbourhood. In one 

 of Mr. Boyd's letters to Edward, he said, " We have 

 exactly the sort of room that will suit you, and 

 you will be left at liberty to pursue your re- 

 searches at your convenience ; the room being so 

 situated that you can go out or come in at any hour 

 of the day or night, without any one being the wiser. 

 There will always be something in the cupboard to 

 refresh you before starting at daybreak, or when you 

 come home at night, though every one in the house 

 may be asleep. And you may continue with us the 

 whole week, if you be so disposed. My coble will 

 always be at your service, and I hope to be able to 

 accompany you on some of your rambles, though I 

 am not nearly so agile now as I have been. . . . Mrs. 

 Boyd is now quite well, though she had a long ill- 

 ness after you were here ; and we have a young 

 specimen of zoology to show you, which is worth all 

 the rare birds of Strathbeg put together !" 



The number of water-fowl that Edward found 

 about the loch was very great. During winter time it 



