were awaiting our arrival. They had discovered where mie poll of Eltet were breeding, though they had been
unable to detect tl xact part of tbe forest in which the nest was placed. The resort, of the birds was a large
fir-wood e a r n i n g both sides ol a sleep gorge in the hills. The ground was so broken up with masses of rock
and dry anil stony gullies, as well as rendered almost impassable from fallen and rotten timber, that it was a
work of no little difficulty to reach the spot where they had l>eeu observed. As we advanced, the bird*, which
were both flying in circles nbove the wood, came down nearer; but not above once or twice did they venture
within even a long gunshot. After scrambling a considerable distance, we stopped a few minutes to rest in a
rather more open part of the wood, and, happening to look tip, discovered a BCat in one of the smallest trees
just above our heads. Then examining the ground below it, we eould easily sec that it was now used; and on
proceeding thirty or forty yards further up hill, we were aide, by the help of the glasses, to thoroughly inspect
the contents, and made out that it contained two young Kites, just, commencing to show a Tew feathers through
the down. The old birds were now t h i n g al a great height, with no signs of approaching closer ; so n few
dead houghs were collected, and placed in such a manner as to fonn a small hiding-place, about forty yards
from the nest, under which I might await their return, while the keepers left the spot and retired to a safe
distance, where they would he perfectly concealed from view. I had not long been in tbe shelter before my
attention was attracted by a number of small stones rattling down the hill-side ; on looking up I discovered a
goat standing on a small ledge, regarding me intently. After a few seconds be made a slart, hounding over
some loose rocks, two or three of which were dislodged, and came dashing down towards where I was hiding.
1 did not make a move to save myself, as I knew not which way to t u r n ; ami luckily I did not stir, as a couple
of pieces, neither of them weighing less than a quarter of a hundredweight, crashed past within a few bet of
where I was stationed. I remained for between three and four hours, but without success, as. neither of the old
Kites returned lo the nest, and, iud 1. disappeared entirely from sight during the last hour I wailed.
" 2ltth. Returned to the nest shortly before daybreak. One old bird left the tree j u s t as I got w ilhin
range; there was, however, not light enough to shoot, with any certainty, at the momentary glimpse I caught
of the bird as it skimmed swiftly and silently through the dark shadows thrown by the trees. After wtilling a
couple of hours without either bird appearing, we went back to the Lodge for breakfast, and later on returned
with a small Bantam cock, which was taken up the tree and made fast in the nest, the young having been
first secured, so that lie could not get at them. I imagined that when the Kites came in sight and found the
intruder in possession of their nest, they would immediately come w ithin range in order to t u rn him out. No
sooner, however, did one of the old birds appear than the little cock, who had previously sulked and remained
laying on his side, raised himself up anil, with a shrill cock-a-doodle-doo, bid deliance to the Kite, which
instantly turned tail and rapidly disappeared from view, leaving the Bantam in possi-ssion. Although I
wailed Tor a considerable time, 1 only caught a distant glimpse of one bird, which retired again as soon as il
came near enough to make out the state of affairs in the nest. As it appeared useless to wait any longer, we
removed the rock and, having set loose the young birds, returned to the Lodge.
" I Ire-it was the rejoicing among the members of the keeper's family at the safe relurn of the Bantam.
The plucky little fellow, however, fully deserved the welcome he received.
" Any cock, the saying is, u ill crow on his own dunghill; hut seldom has one of his race thrown down
I challenge to aa unknown foe under more adverse circumstances.
" T h e nest was composed of dead twigs of Br, and lined with sheep's wool, hair, rags, dirt of every
description, and lots of old scraps of newspaper. The food provided for the young consisted of a fresh young
(irouse and a squirrel ; there were also the remains of a Curlew or two, with plenty of old ltones and feathers
laying a W i t , showing that Oroiise, Pigeons, and Peewits were frequently taken."
As I was of opinion that after the fright the old birds had got it would be best tu leave them quiet for
some days, I did not return till the 20th, when I again drove up the glen to make another attempt.
" Sfith. The weather was fearfully hoi, and, where the cool breeze was excluded by the densciiess of the
lindier, the persistent attacks of the midges were almost unbearable. While we were advancing towards their
quarters, the Kites did not seem by any means shy ; and jiisl before we reached the nest, one of tie S3 mQed
over onr heads, apparently within range. In hopes of a shot, I steadied myself against a roeh (the ground was
excessively steep and, owing to the dry weather and total absence of heritage, was slip|tery as glass), and aw ailed
its approach oa the following circle. The next time it was hardly so close ; but when I fired il fell, as if dead,
into the top of a llr, and then giving a Hap or two with its wings, freed itself from tbe branches, and went over
the precipice into the gorge below. When tin- bird struck the tree I did not lire I lie second barrel, as it was
within twenty yards, and would have bees blown to pieces. Expecting but little trouble to find it, we turned
back, as the rocks just below were almost perpendicular, and mode the best of onr way to the spot when' it
appeared to have lodged. While descending the rocks, a couple of dogs we had with us started two fox-cubs
from a cairn, and this caused an interruption ihat hindered us for M M time. Al last we reached the Imtlom
of t h e gorge, just below where we lost sight of the bird ; but, though we hunted for at least a i-oiiplc of hours,
we could find no trace of it, not even so much as a feather. The number of dead and deoej lag steins of I rees,
together with the cricks and crevices among (lie broken slabs of roek and stone, rendered our search
any thing hut easy.
"The remaining bird kept circling round at an immense height, and gave not the slightest signs of
returning to the nest. As it seemed of little use waiting for a shot at the present time, we retired to a botby
0a the Opposite side of the gorge, from which, with the classes, we eould overlook marly the whole or both
sides or the glen. Here we rcaolrcd to make ourselves comfortable till nliout midnight, when I settled to
crawl as near the nest as possible, and then wait till daybreak for n elinuee of a shot. Shortly before dusk we
observed the remaining old bird pilch in a tree near the upper part of the wood, and, after shifting its position
three or four times, we a l length lost sight or it close to the nest.
"27th. Soon after midnight I started from the bothy, and cautiously making my way down hill, I
ascended the opposite side of the gorge, till 1 got some distance above the nest. Although we bad previously
marked a track by placing dead branches against the trees, 1 had no little difficulty ia finding my way owing
to the darkness. The night was perfectly still, without a breath of wind, and extra caution was needed as I
drew near the spot to avoid making the slightest noise. At length, after a long and tedious crow I, 1 reached
my Station, about thirty or forty yards from the nest, and almost on the same level, as the tree on which it
was placed stood loner down the hill. I could plainly make out the heads of tbe two young binls against the
clear sky; and, by the help of the glasses, I could see them snapping at the insects, which seemed a great
annoyance to them. It was evident that the old bird was not near the nest; and while slightly moving my
position, so as to obtain a better view of the surrounding branches, 1 mapped a dead twig, and in an instaul I
noticed a dark shadow glide from the further side of the Iree and immediately disappear from sight. As there
was now hut little chance that the bird would return for several hours, I called up the keeper-, and we s. I a
trap on the nest, making fast both of the young birds. Then leaving the glen, we did not revisit the spot till
the middle of the day, when the trap was unsprung. As no food liad l>een brought, and Ihcre were BOW uo
signs of the old one, I was of opinion that, owing to having bean so much disturbed, it might have deserted the
nest. We accordingly took the two young ones, and left the trap which we had previously set.
"The neslliugs differed considerably in size; one was almost full-Hedged, while the other only showed
about half its reathers just sprouting through tho down. The eye was dark haiel, beak black, cere king's
yellow, legs and feet n pakr yellow. As I imagined they would make more interesting •pectmess if slightly
inure Hedged, wo kept them uhvo for a few days before sending them to bo preserved. They were ai
first remarkably shy and sulky, hiding their heads, and evidently disliking to ho noticed. For the short
time they remained under our care, their diet consisted of raw beef; and on this they appeared to thrive