NATURE NOTES IN SKYE 
149 
aided by the almost total absence of trees, and, in places, by the 
lack of any vegetation whatever. Scott’s well-known descrip- 
tion of Loch Coruisk and its surroundings, in the “ Lord of the 
Isles,” would apply to much of the island. The hills were 
produced by volcanic action, and, in many cases, their bare 
slopes are of the true lava-red. These (it is stated by Sir 
Andrew Ramsay, in his ‘‘ Physical Geography of Great 
Britain ”) are formed of acid rocks ; while the chief range, the 
famous Coolins, magnificent of outline, are of dark, basic forma- 
tions— gabbro and dolerite. These latter have grass growing to 
about a third of the way up. But, as you descend towards any 
one of the sea-lochs, that, with their varied and beautiful curves, 
indent the coast right round Skye, the scene changes to one of 
glorious vivacity. The shores are a mass of birds of very many 
species, particularly at low tide, when they collect to feed on 
molluscs, small Crustacea, &c. Almost every kind of gull, from 
the great black-backed to the graceful little kittiwake, may be 
observed ; quantities of oyster-catchers and curlew, also Hocks 
of golden plover. A little way out wild duck and widgeon may 
be seen breasting the ripples. \\'hen the gleams of the silvery 
sun that breaks out between driving rain-squalls, on a typical 
Skye day, light up the scene, and show this varied company at 
work on the shell-fish, amid a thick tangle of golden sea-weed, 
the whole backed by dark velvety hillsides that sweep straight 
down into the sea, the effect is very fine and full of interest. 
The clamour is incessant, the plover’s shrill whistle rising above 
all the other sounds ; and the restless crowd keep changing their 
positions, and coming and going ; now a flock of curlew rise and 
fly across the loch, now some oyster-catchers run swiftly along 
the water’s edge in search of a fresh feeding-ground ; or perhaps 
a fishing eagle, that has been hovering overhead, swoops 
suddenly down upon the water. 
Deer, too, are more likely to be seen near the shore than 
inland. As we drove along the coast and through Lord 
Macdonald’s forest, in the early morning, two bucks came and 
gazed at us with innocent wide eyes. That most delicious time 
of day is the best for seeing them, for it is then that they wander 
down to taste undisturbed the rich grass of the coasts. 
Porpoises often come near the shore, and occasionally a seal 
makes its appearance. 
The flora of Skye appears not to be of a very interesting 
description, but if it were visited in the flow’ering season no 
doubt some rarities might be observed. We saw several 
specimens of a small rose with black hips and bronzish leaves, 
apparently the Burnet rose, an uncommon species. 
This paper consists, as its title indicates, of but a few 
desultory gleanings from the natural history of this romantic 
island. They may possibly serve to indicate that a naturalist 
whose time, or money, limits him as to distance, might do 
worse than spend his holiday in the wild and wind- spent Isle of 
Skye. M. B. 
