68 TRANSACTIONS—PERTHSHIRE SOCIETY OF NATURAL SCIENCE. 
ance. There are, or rather were formerly, four species common to 
the Tay—the Grey Lag, the Pink-footed, the White-fronted, and Bean 
Goose. Of the four the two first are still pretty numerous, more 
especially the Pink-footed; the two latter are seldom or never now 
seen. At certain stages of the tide Geese quit the river, and may 
then be seen high up in V-shaped flight, making for the fields in the 
broad Carse, many of them also going over to the Fife side, but 
all returning at stated times. 
As we approach the mud flats near Invergowrie we notice 
various Waders. Feeding at the water’s edge are Curlews, Red¬ 
shanks, and a Bar-tailed Godwit or two, now very rare, also the Knot. 
This last was once very abundant, but it is now seldom seen. 
Dotted about on the mud are a few Golden Plover, recognised 
by their plaintive whistle. Not so very many years ago these 
might be seen, as the tide rose, settling in large flocks on the 
adjoining fields. Here, also, are small flocks of Dunlins ; these 
breed on the higher hills, as well as on Tentsmuir, congregating 
on the estuary and along the coast in autumn, and with them we 
notice the little Ox-eye, or Ring Plover, whose after-acquaintance we 
will make. 
As we take the flow on our return we approach Newburgh» 
and, coasting along the north side of Mugdrum Island till near 
the centre, we ensconce ourselves behind one of the big stone 
dykes already mentioned, and there, like the herons, await events. 
It was not far from this spot, but on the opposite (or Fife) side, that 
a specimen of the Bittern was obtained some few years ago. Though 
now only a casual, the time has been when the Bittern was doubtless 
not an uncommon bird on the Tay. We have not been long here 
before some Dunlins, already mentioned, pass within a short dis¬ 
tance, Then, with outstretched neck and rapid flight, comes a 
Cormorant, with the prospect of fishing a little higher up. These 
birds are not uncommon in the fresh water as well as salt, and have 
been got as far up as Loch Tay. Shortly afterwards, the tide rising 
quickly, there comes racing up with it, and with a chirring kind of 
croak, a considerable flock of Sheldrake ; these go floating past, but 
not higher than the head of the island, and return with the ebb. 
The Sheldrake, the very handsomest of our Ducks, is resident on the 
Tay, breeding in rabbit burrows, both at the mouth and on the banks 
above, as also sometimes on the braes of the Carse. 
The day is now on the wane, and most interesting it is to watch the 
numerous parties of Starlings as they come flocking in from every di¬ 
rection before going to roost in the large reed-brake at the head of the 
island— the great resort and roosting-place of seemingly every Starling 
in the district. These, as they come in, unite, and at last form one 
