72 A VERTEBRATE FAUNA OF THE MORAY BASIN. 



sperately steep ascent, crossing the county march at Nethermill 

 on the Tore Burn. We had descended to the sea-level at this 

 point from an elevation of nearly 500 feet, and now had again to 

 ascend the still higher ridge which terminates in the gaunt head- 

 line of Troup. A high-lying ridge forms here what might be con- 

 sidered a very distinct faunal boundary between Moray and Dee, 

 but it becomes apparent, as it retires inland it loivers, not rises, in 

 elevation, and the higher range which skirts further inland almost 

 parallel with the coast is the real dividing ridge. 



Beyond Troup Head is the lesser elevation of Gamrie Mor, and 

 beyond that the lower coast-line about the mouth of the Deveron, 

 Banff, and as far as Cullen. 



The scenery is now varied by the deep wooded * dens ' of the 

 high ridges of land which run out seaward at Troup Head and at 

 Auchmeddan, which is a similar gully on the west side. The 

 Burn of Kingj Edward rises within a mile of the cliff eds^e, and 

 running inland joins the river Deveron about five miles above 

 Banff. Farther inland there is a large extent of high-lying moss 

 and barren land in the districts around Aberdour, and this is 

 repeated again on the west side of the ridge, heather coming close 

 down to Troup Head. The coast for miles presents a fine succes- 

 sion of bold cliffs, caves, and water-worn rocks, arches, and pillars, 

 and tradition even speaks of eagles having once occupied the 

 Head itself. 



We reached Troup Head about 3 p.m., and found ourselves on 

 the elevated nose 500 feet above the sea. 



It was occupied by considerable numbers of Herring Gulls, and 

 by a small colony of Guillemots. A little to the eastward of 

 Troup, on a much lower cliff, there is a larger colony of the latter, 

 but the largest colony is on the farm of Troup, a little to the west- 

 ward of the highest cliffs. At this place Harvie-Brown counted 

 over 400 Guillemots on one large ledge, and Kitti wakes lower 

 down. Six or eight Cormorants flew off the highest ledges, and 

 Herring Gulls were still abundant. Puffins nestle — out of sight 

 however — round the next point, in considerable numbers, and the 

 total assemblage of rock birds, especially of Guillemots, must be 

 very large. Kazorbills were also common, but not nearly so 



