INVEREKNE, 81 



number of sheldrakes. As the tide left them they began feed- 

 ing, walking quickly about and poking their bills under the 

 grass and weeds for any small shells or marine insects that they 

 might find. This kind of duck moves about on shore with a 

 very different gait to that of the common mallard. Instead of 

 the waddle of the mallard, the sheldrake walks about with a 

 light active step and erect carriage, more resembling that of the 

 wild goose than any other bird. Altogether the sheldrake is a 

 peculiarly handsome and showy bird, and I have no doubt would 

 with a little trouble be made available in the poultry yard, as 

 they are easily domesticated, although those killed on the sea- 

 shore have a fishy flavour. If fed on the same food as tame 

 ducks, their flesh would soon lose all disagreeable taste. I 

 saw to-day a few of the white-fronted geese pass over my head. 

 The bean goose appears here regularly as soon as the oats are 

 sown. 



March 1*7 th. Walked to-day towards Findhorn. The tide 

 was heavier than I ever remember seeing it. A few wigeon 

 were about the bay, and several mallards. The river in flood 

 from the snow melted by the high south-west wind, which 

 invariably makes the river rise at this season. 



March 18th. The river was so high this morning that the 

 ferryman between this and Moy could not cross, which prevented 

 my going to Lochlee as I had intended doing. 



March 19th. A fine, warm day. Went to Lochlee, where 

 we saw great numbers of mallards, wigeon, and teal, several 

 badger tracks along the tracks in the heather, etc., and along the 

 side of the lochs. Otter tracks along the burn. 



March 20th. Fished in the river and caught a number of 

 sea-trout from 1 Ib. to ^ Ib. each ; some of them in very good 

 condition. A large trout of 4 Ib. rose to my fly two or three 

 times without taking, so I put on a small black midge, and he 

 took it immediately, and after some trouble I killed him. The 

 best fly at this season in the Findhorn is a crimson body silver 

 twist black hackle and wigeon or teal wing. The sea-trout here 

 at this season certainly take this fly in preference to any other 



F 



