68 



INVERERNE. 



I was much struck by the strength displayed by rooks in digging 

 up the snow and frozen ground in search of the fresh-sown wheat, 

 large spaces of the fields appearing as if rooted up by pigs. 



Wood-pigeons destroy turnips (particularly Swedish turnips) 

 during snow, by digging into them in a manner which seems 

 quite beyond the strength of their bills. 



Eobins are very carnivorous, devouring raw meat most 

 voraciously. So do tomtits. 



The water-ouzels seem to enjoy this cold weather, flitting 

 about and warbling with great appearance of delight. 



Weasels and stoats wander to great distances in snow, 

 particularly along the sides of water. 



December 2lst. Immense flocks of wigeon, mallards, teal, 

 coots, and other waterfowl. Spynie is the best loch in the 

 north of Scotland for wildfowl, and a great resort of swans, etc. 

 Towards evening the mallards and wigeon flew backwards and 

 forwards about the edges and to the few ditches and streams 

 that were not snowed over or covered with ice. 



