INVERERNE. 6 1 



November llth. The snowliakes [bunting] seem to be con- 

 stantly arriving from the north in considerable flights. During 

 the two days of damp fog that have occurred, the partridges 

 entirely leave the turnip fields and remain all day on the sand- 

 banks and other dry places near the river. 



November 12th. Great flocks of snowflakes on the hills, 

 also immense numbers of greenfinches in the corn-yards. A 

 small flock of redpolls. I found more snipe than usual on 

 that ground. The congregating of these different birds, and the 

 cold raw mists that have now lasted three days, seem as if snow 

 was coming; Partridges are quite unapproachable just now. 

 The grass and every leaf is so saturated with wet that these 

 birds, never squatting flat on the ground, are in a state of constant 

 watchfulness. The water-ouzel sings all day now, sometimes 

 sitting on a stone, and at other times floating with half-open 

 wings on the surface of the pools. 



The burns are full of spawning trout. In the shallows they 

 can be seen ploughing up the gravel with their noses, in order to 

 make beds for their spawn. 



November 13th. The partridges are collected in flocks like 

 grouse. Saw a great number of fieldfares and redwings. 



Many tracks of foxes and otter by the edge of the river. 



November 14th. Immense flocks of fieldfa-res and redwings 

 in every new-sown wheat field. Great numbers of wood-pigeons. 

 The sea-gulls feed indiscriminately on worms, snails, and grain. 

 Partridges just now are shifting their ground, and fresh coveys 

 appear everywhere. They leave the turnip fields and remain all 

 day on heather or sandy ground. 



November 24th. I saw two peewits to-day. I remark this, 

 wishing to keep note of the latest day on which I see any of 

 these birds. 



November 26th. Saw to-day five swans. They were flying at 

 the height of nine or ten feet from the ground towards the bay. 

 They were at the time coming from the south, probably from 

 Lochindorb, where these birds occasionally rest for a day or so, but 

 never remain longer, as that loch is not adapted for their feeding. 



