78 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES. 



more remarkable manner in the case of the female 

 shieldrakes when sitting on their eggs : " Although 

 several feet underground, they know to a moment 

 when the tide has sufficiently ebbed, and then, and 

 only then, do they leave their nests to snatch a hasty 

 meal on the cockles, &c., which they find on the sands." 

 The appearance of the loch this morning was very 

 beautiful, and often did I pause in silent contempla-, 

 tion. Its bright blue waters, illumined by the in- 

 constant sun, and its white wave crests lashed into 

 mimic fury by the uncertain wind, chased each other in 

 ever-glistening change. 



There is first-rate trout fishing in this loch. In fact, 

 I am told that it is the finest loch trout-fishing in 

 North Britain. The charr is also found here, and I 

 regret exceedingly that my occupations having been 

 so engrossing I have been unable to spare time to 

 throw a fly upon its surface. After a health-giving 

 walk I reached Stromness betimes, and, among other 

 circumstances of the day, I met and obtained a very 

 fine skin of the female honey buzzard (Falco apivorus) 

 shot rather earlier in the season. I have a male bird 

 already in my collection, having been trapped in 

 the woods of Wyndyard Park, in the county of 

 Durham. 



The weather on the following day turned out most 

 unpropitious. Were it not for this I had intended 

 taking a sloop to the island of Sanda, a low flat 



