290 THE ANGLER-NATURALIST. 



A remarkable instance of the return of Salmon to their 

 own rivers or localities was witnessed in the case of some 

 streams of Sutherland. The circumstances were as fol- 

 lows : 



" Loch Shin, a piece of water about 20 miles by 14, 

 situate in the heart of the Sutherlandshire mountains, is 

 the immediate feeder of the river Shin, noted for the abun- 

 dance of its Salmon. The loch itself has four feeders, 

 middling-sized rivers viz. the Ferry, Fiack, Garvy, and 

 Curvy in which, previously to the year 1836, not a Salmon 

 was ever seen, though many were in the habit of entering 

 the loch or lake. In the year mentioned, at the request of 

 the Duke of Sutherland and Mr. Loch, M.P., Salmon 

 were caught in the river Shin, shortly before the spawning 

 season, and conveyed to the four rivers above named, 

 amongst which they were distributed in due proportion. 

 Mr. Andrew Young, the Duke's Salmon-factor, and our 

 best natural historian of Salmon, was the managing director 

 on the occasion. In the winter season all the fish spawned, 

 each in the river into which it was put. Now mark one 

 of the consequences : Salmon at present, and ever since, 

 come regularly to spawn in all those heretofore salmoiiless 

 rivers, traversing the lake, &c. to do so. Nay, more ; the 

 fish hatched in the Ferry at least those that survive long 

 enough return to the Ferry; and the fry of the other 

 three rivers return from the sea to them, each Grilse or 

 Salmon entering never-failingly the actual stream that 

 gave it birth. What wonderful and unerring instinct ! 



