50 PKlilODlCAL VISITS OF THE HERRING. 



stomachs are frequently found to be filled with young 

 sand-eel, or other small fish. 



North-East Coast. — A superior description of herring, 

 both as to size and quality, appears off the north-east 

 coast about the 25th July, between Sanda and Stronsay, 

 and the fishing continues upon the east side (with occa- 

 sional intermissions) until about the middle of September; 

 these herrings are about the sixth and seventh class ; and 

 at first in the shoals there is about an equal proportion 

 of matjes and full and spent-herrings ; but by the end of 

 the fishing nearly all those fished are spent herrings. 



The West Sea, or South Isles, is not, as the name might 

 imply, on the west side, but the fishing is in the sea or 

 bays between South Konaldshay and Longhope. There is 

 here often an abundant fishing, but the hemngs are gene- 

 rally spent fish, or have deposited their spawn ; the quan- 

 tity is often very large. 



Caithness — Thurso. — Small herrings of a particularly 

 fat or oily description appear off Thurso, sometimes as 

 early as May. Those fished early may be about the ninth 

 class ; they are rich in flavour, but are not well adapted 

 for curing, or suitable to be preserved for longer than a 

 few weeks. This kind is usually succeeded by a larger 

 description of excellent herrings, which, not being so oily, 

 are more suitable for curing. The quantity that comes 

 upon this coast in June and July is often considerable. 



North and West Coast. — Along the coasts of Suther- 

 land, Inverness, and Argyle shires, including the various 

 islands of these counties, herrings usually appear in great 

 shoals in summer, and frequently in winter ; they are 

 caught in some places in the North -West Highlandsasearly 

 as the beginning of June, and even in May, but the usual 

 time of their coming in shoals upon the coast and into the 



