24 A VERTEBRATE FAUNA OF THE MORAY BASIN. 



PHYSICAL FEATURES. 



1. COAST-LINE AND EIVEES OF THE EAST OF SUTHEE- 

 LANDSHIEE, WITH A SHOET DESCEIPTION OF 

 THE SUEEOUNDINO COUNTEY. 



The Sutherland coast-line is, for the most part, of a sandy nature, 

 the links extending from near Helmsdale to Dornoch. Beyond 

 Helmsdale on the north up to the Ord, — where one of the few 

 eyries of the White-tailed Eagle on the east coast of the British 

 Isles used to exist — the coast-line is high close to the sea, and con- 

 sists of clayey, red-coloured banks covered with grass, and a shingly 

 beach. South of Helmsdale rocks jut out here and there, as at 

 Port Gower, Crackaig, and Brora ; and from Strathsteven to Golspie 

 the shore consists largely of shingle. Behind this line the hills, 

 which at Helmsdale rise close to the sea, recede somewhat, and 

 between them and the shore-line lies the greatest extent of arable 

 ground in this part of the country, interrupted here and there 

 either by plantations or some small pieces of uncultivated moor- 

 laud. This cultivated area varies much in breadth, nowhere being 

 much broader than two miles between the sea and the foot of the 

 hills, and a great part of it is occupied by small farms and crofts, 

 except on the south side of the Little Ferry, where, from the absence 

 of hills, the district around Dornoch is almost wholly arable.^ 



1 In an article in the Land Agents' Record (issued weekly at 75 Fleet Street, 

 London), February 1, 1893, on 'Notable Estates,' Sutherland, it is said that: — 

 ' The arable farms are limited to the Dunrobin district, which extends over eight 

 parishes. In these parishes there are forty-eight arable farms of various sizes, 

 sixteen of them extending from 250 to 500 acres each, and the whole to an area 

 of over 8000 acres. Many of these farms have considerable outrun pasture 

 attached. The soil varies from light sandy and black loam to medium clay. 

 The farms are generally worked on the most advanced principles, and excellent 



