INVEREENE. 83 



where they appear to hunt for flounders, etc. left by the tide. 

 The tracks that we see are almost invariably going up the river, 

 showing that the animal keeps the course of the stream in her 

 downward course, but on coming up frequently leaves the water 

 to go a few yards along the bank. They often, too, take a short 

 cut overland from one bend of the river to another when return- 

 ing after their night's fishing. 



March 27th. I saw some large flocks of geese coming into 

 the bay this evening. The number of gulls, sandpipers, peewits, 

 etc. is quite incredible. Fished in the river and caught several 

 sea trout, some fresh run, others lean and bad ; also a few yellow 

 trout. 



March 28th. A cold, sleety day, and the fields even about 

 the house covered with snow, and quite white in the evening. 

 (Wind N.E.) 



The golden plovers which I now see are becoming black on 

 the breast. 



March 29th. Walked to-day seven or eight miles eastwards 

 in hopes of seeing geese, but found none. Killed some mallards, 

 snipe, etc. Curlews in large flocks in the fields. Much snow on 

 the hills. 



March 30th. Cold, sleet, and snow. The hills as much 

 covered with snow as they have been all the "winter. Six swans 

 came into the bay this evening, and near dusk flew westwards 

 towards Lochlee. Some brent geese and great numbers of 

 wigeon and mallard. The latter appear to have been driven 

 down again from the high ground. It is observable that the 

 wigeon in the bay here are seldom in such good and forward 

 plumage as those which I see in the fresh-water lakes, or on the 

 coast of the more exposed parts of the Firth. It is singular 

 where all the grey geese (usually so numerous at this season) are 

 this year. 



Rooks have eggs, as I see the shells under their nests of 

 eggs that have been broken. 



March 3 1st. In the bay to-day mallard, sheldrake, wigeon, 

 brent geese, cormorant, curlew, oyster-catcher, whimbrel, redshank, 



