CHAPTER XI. 
BEGINS.TO PUBLISH HIS OBSERVATIONS. 
Suortiy after Edward’s return from Aberdeen, he made 
the acquaintance of the Rev. James Smith, of the manse of 
Monquhitter, about eight miles south-east of Banff. Mr. 
Smith had some works on natural history, which he lent to 
Edward; and they enabled him to ascertain the names of 
some of the birds which he discovered in the neighbor- 
hood. 
One day, while walking along the sea-coast, Edward shot 
a bridled guillemot (Uria lachrymans), a bird not before 
known to frequent the district. When he informed Mr. 
Smith of the circumstance, the reverend gentleman thus 
wrote to him: ‘The discovery of the bridled guillemot at 
Gamrie is very interesting, and affords another confirmation 
of the remark that there are many things yet to be found 
out, almost at our doors, by those who have a relish for the 
works of nature, and who will make a good use of the 
faculties which the Almighty has bestowed upon them. 
In my own case, I have now almost no opportunity in my 
power for prosecuting researches in natural history out-of- 
doors; and, even if I had, there is so little sympathy for 
any proceedings of this nature, that I should to a certainty 
be regarded by almost all my parishioners as half-mad, or 
at least as childish, and neglecting my more serious duties. 
Still, [ always feel a strong interest in the subject, and in 
any discovery which is made in regard to it.” 
As Edward had no narrow-minded parishioners to en- 
counter, he went on with his researches. Mr. Smith strong- 
