INVERERNE. 5 5 



I killed a land-rail on the 3rd, the latest period at which 

 1 ever saw them here. It was the fattest bird that I ever saw. 

 Some quails, three or four, were killed at Duffus early in the 

 month. I had seen and heard them here in the month of May, 

 so that they probably breed here. 



A weasel (a very small one) killed a large hen that was 

 sitting in a hedge close to the house. 



On the 12th of this month I saw several large flocks of wild 

 geese. They were flying towards the south-east. There was a 

 considerable quantity of snow covering the higher hills and moun- 

 tains in Koss-shire about the llth and 12th. 



The wigeons were very numerous also, the large flocks 

 appearing to have come about the 9th and 10th. More of the 

 mallard duck than usual in the bag. The latter birds fly every 

 evening to feed in the stubbles. They fix upon a field where 

 there is much grain left on the ground, and but little grass 

 or weeds to cover the scattered grains, and come regularly to it 

 soon after sunset. They have some means of communicating 

 with each other, as their numbers increase on a good field every 

 night, as if those who had already found it invited their friends 

 to the feast. 



Kedshanks very numerous on the shore. 



After a flood in the river, numbers of snipe always come 

 down for a day or two to feed about the mud left by the water. 

 Flocks of peewits on the 18th (later than usual). 



I shot a crossbill on the 10th, out of a small company of five 

 or six. 



Water-ouzels come to the burns near the sea about the 

 beginning of October. The same stones are occupied year after 

 year by these birds. 



On the 18th, flocks of starlings. 



I shot a grey gull, 5 ft. 11^ in. between the tips of the wings. 



In the beginning of October the rats return to the houses 

 from the fields and ditches. 



Roe in good condition, and with their winter coat, about the 

 second week in October. 



