Contribution to Vertebrate Fauna of West Ross-shire, 381 
Salmo “ ferox,’ but less frequently we believe of late years. 
Indeed, there is general complaint of the falling off in num- 
bers of all kinds of fish, the causes assigned being the 
superabundance of bag-nets along the coast, and poaching at 
the heads of the sea-lochs in the case of the migratory fish ; 
while the decrease in the brown trout is supposed by some 
to be due to the substitution of sheep for cattle on the hills. 
Woods.—The wooded areas are few and far between, and, 
as a rule, of very limited extent. The natural woods are 
mostly birch, with a few alders along the lower stream 
courses. The lower part of the Dundonnell Glen is well 
clothed with birch, and on the hillsides the trees extend to 
a height of over 1000 feet, while round Dundonnell House 
there are many fine timber trees—beeches, limes, chestnuts, 
and walnuts—planted some hundred years ago. 
The foot and sides of Loch Maree are more or less fringed 
with natural wood, and at Glas Leitire, as well as about Loch 
Clair, there are some fine specimens of ancient pines, relics 
of the primeval forest. At Flowerdale, Kernsary, and 
Kerrisdale, there is also a considerable extent of wood, both 
natural and planted, the latter including hardwood and 
conifers. Farther to the south small patches of natural 
birch wood occur along the southern shores of Loch Torridon, 
in Glen Shieldaig, Glen Kishorn, and at Applecross, where 
there are also considerable plantations, and some timber 
trees of large size. 
The greatest extent of planted wood is found at Leckmelm - 
and Braemore on Loch Broom. Here large plantations of 
conifers have lately been formed, Sir John Fowler having, 
we believe, put in as many as six millions of trees on his 
estates at the latter place. At Achnashellach, in Strath- 
carron, there are also plantations of recent date. 
These additions to the wooded area of the district are 
likely, in the near future, to have an important influence on 
the avifauna of the country. Certain woodland birds, now 
scarce and local, or only occurring as chance visitants, may 
be expected to become common and general, and new forms 
may be added to the list of indigenous species. 
Climate and Rainfall—tThe climate is that common. to the 
