CH. VIII. AGRICULTURE OF SUTHERLAND. 117 



CHAPTER VIII. 



County of Sutherland ; Variety of Climate and Soil List of 

 Birds ; of Hawks ; Owls ; of the smaller Land Birds ; of the 

 Crow Tribe ; Pigeons, etc. 



THERE is no county in Britain with a greater 

 variety of soil and climate than Sutherlandshire, 

 changing gradually from the rich and highly culti- 

 vated farms on the Dornoch Firth to the gray rocks 

 and mountains of Assynt and Scowrie. The living 

 productions are also as varied and numerous as 

 can be found in any district of our island. There 

 are few British birds or quadrupeds that are 

 not to be found in this county ; the vegetable 

 productions, cultivated and uncultivated, are as 

 numerous and varied. 



The first agriculturists in England would delight 

 in the fine farms near Dunrobin, and might perhaps 

 take a lesson or gain a hint from the tenant's manage- 

 ment of cattle and wheat, most of which is destined 

 ultimately for the London market. Though no 

 farmer myself, I pulled in my horse for some time 

 to admire the numerous and beautifully kept cattle 

 and crops of Mr. Craig of Kirkton, one of the Duke 



