32 A VERTEBRATE FAUNA OF THE MORAY BASIN. 



though some does enter, as is apparent from the sea-weed growing 

 in the big pool above the Mound. 



The river is a great resort of sea-trout and it is probable that 

 many of these fish live altogether either in the estuary or at the 

 mouth of it, as they are to be seen here the whole year round : 

 doubtless the feeding is always good in such localities. Besides 

 sea-trout and salmon, large shoals of mullet are found in the quiet 

 and muddy bays between the Mound and the Little Eerry. The 

 upper part of the estuary is well wooded on both sides ; on the 

 north with old plantations of Scots firs, and their dark green 

 foliage contrasts well with the water of the firth. In the distance, 

 on the south side, the pretty shooting lodge of Cambusmore is seen 

 lying among the birch woods at the foot of a steep rock, which 

 annually yields a pair of Peregrines. Nearer the sea the coast is 

 entirely composed of sand and shingle, where multitudes of rabbits, 

 and, in the summer, sea-birds, abound. At its mouth, below the 

 Little Ferry, the estuary is greatly contracted, and the tide runs 

 through this narrow passage with great force. 



Before passing on, we should make mention of one of the 

 tributaries of the Fleet, the burn coming out of Loch Buidhe and 

 running down Strath Carnach. Here a very extensive salmon 

 ladder was put up by the late Mr. Bateson, at one time lessee of 

 the Cambusmore shootings, and which, in his time, was kept in 

 good working order. 



Below the Mound, and about half-way down to the Little 

 Ferry on the south side, there are some large stones standing close 

 to the deep channel of the Firth; here there is a salmon cast 

 which was constantly used in former days, and where, at certain 

 times of the flowing or ebbing tide, salmon and grilse are even 

 now often caught in the salt water. 



Of the Evelix there is not much to be said. It is a small river 

 rising in the moors behind Ospisdale, and flows through the highly 

 cultivated districts of Skibo and Evelix. We are informed that 

 both salmon and grilse ascend it : they are, like the river, of small 

 size, and perfect miniatures of those of the larger rivers. 



From the mouth of the Evelix to that of the Shin the distance 

 is some twelve miles along the Dornoch Firth and the Kyle of 



