92 INVERERNE. 



northern diver drowned in the salmon stake nets. It appears 

 that this is not a rare occurrence at this season. The weight 

 appeared at least 16 Ib. I saw a black guillemot on the 

 water. 



May 28th. Walked to-day to Lochlee. We saw large nests 

 made by the coots and dabchicks. They pile up a great 

 quantity of rushes in shallow water amongst the weeds, till they 

 have made a strong platform. We saw a large brood of young 

 ducks following their mother. 



May 30th. As the tide begins to ebb, great numbers of 

 terns are seen flying slowly (against the wind) along the water 

 edge, and dropping like a stone into the shallow water. After 

 remaining some moments under the water, they appear again 

 with a sand-eel in the bill. They seem to strike with the most 

 unerring aim, and the little fish has always the mark of the 

 bird's bill just behind the head. I have seen the terns carrying 

 the sand-eels three or four miles inland to their young. Their 

 quickness in catching their prey must be very great, as nothing 

 is quicker or more active in eluding pursuit than the sand-eel. 

 Sometimes (indeed frequently) the terns pursue their prey in deep 

 water several hundred yards from the shore. 



