98 NAIRN. 



to him to-day a white- tailed eagle perfectly white a male 

 bird, and apparently not white from age. I saw several eagles 

 about the high mountains in that country, ptarmigan also, and 

 some deer. The stags' horns this year are by no means remark- 

 able for size. The spring was backward, and they had not good 

 feeding at the season when they were getting their new horns. 



September 16th. Keturned home; the weather being too bad 

 for a longer season. 



Saw wigeon about Lochlee, the first that I have seen this 

 season. 



October 19th. Large flock of wild geese passing from the 

 north southwards. Also one swan on Lochlee. Last year the 

 first geese that I saw were on the 12th of this month. Harry 

 killed a godwit yesterday and a purre. 



I saw a peregrine in chase of a wild duck to-day, the hawk 

 endeavouring to keep under the duck always to prevent her 

 getting to the water. The birds went at a tremendous rate, 

 till I lost sight of them in the distance. 



November 1st. Saw snow-birds to-day for first time. Large 

 flocks of siskins in the woods. The hares seem to have collected 

 very much in the low grounds. 



December *lth. Wild swans on Lochlee, and a greater 

 number of wigeon, etc. than usual. Also a great deal of 

 aurora, all foretelling rough or frosty weather. 



December 13th. Great number of wild ducks, etc. in 

 the loch, but the weather is so fine that they all go to sea 

 as soon as disturbed. The black-cocks wander very much, 

 and when there is no wind, are always found on the tops of 

 the trees. 



December 25th. The weather for some days past has been 

 quiet, but severe frost. Lochlee to-day is entirely frozen over, 

 and the wild ducks, wigeon, etc. are all about the salt water bay 

 at the bar. There are a great many black game, particularly 

 cocks, come down to the lower grounds. Very few woodcocks as 

 yet, and scarcely a snipe to be seen. 



