FAUNAL POSITION 



In writing an account of this extensive Faunal area, we believe 

 accentuation ought to be given to its position as compared with 

 those of other areas already treated of. If that most interesting 

 and valuable contribution to our knowledge of migration — we 

 mean Mr. H. Giitke's Heligoland as an Ornithological Ohscrmtoi-y — 

 be studied, under species for species, with this account, and the 

 opening chapters of the said text-book be at the same time con- 

 sulted and compared, we cannot but believe that some interesting 

 facts will appear to the intelligent reader. We purpose, therefore, 

 to dwell at some length upon what we consider a not unimportant 

 portion of this volume as indicated in the title of this chapter. 



That the deep trough of the Moray Firth, which goes down to 

 depths of 80 and 110 fathoms, near the entrance of the Firth, at 

 a distance of some four to six miles north of Kinnaird Head, in- 

 fluences the distribution and migration of the Fish-fauna of the 

 north-east coasts of Scotland there can be scarcely any doubt, as 

 witness the occurrence of Zicmpemcs lampetn/oinnisj and of the 

 general molluscan and other life found there, or on * The Witch- 

 ground,' as it is called by the fishermen, on account of the abund- 

 ance of * The Witch Sole,' or Pole, or Craig Fluke {Pleiironcdcs 

 cynoglossus). This deep trough stretches from the entrance of the 

 Moray Firth, almost parallel with the coast, nearly to Tarbet Ness, 

 a distance of not less than sixty miles. 



Whether the migrations and consequent distribution of birds 

 have been in the past, or are now, being influenced thereby — if we 

 consider the theories set forth by Herr Weismann — is perhaps less 

 certain. However that may be, we hold that there certainly can 

 be scarcely any doubt remaining, that the great corresponding 

 trough of the Great Glen, through which our merchant vessels 

 pass by the Caledonian Canal, and of which, the above-mentioned 



