•2 G R E Y - L A G GOOSE,
.w liad enlisted, as well ¡1* the billies, however, worked with a will and soon etl'eeted an improvement,
Umgfc I was forced to check the ardour of a young Highlander who was busily clearing out in the
frying-pan (which hnd formed portion of his load across the moor) the dirt swept up from the floor. As the
force of the wintry galea bad removed a few bunches of heather from the corner of the roof, there was
littlo fear as to ventilation, thOOgfa a lew pools of rain-water collected in the inequalities of the ground
thai sufficed for flooring slightly hindered our one rat i 011s. The fireplaces luckily proved large and well
huilt, and a fine stock of well-dried peats being close at hand, a couple of roaring tires speedily improved
the condition of the interior.
As we were well aware, owing to the presence of two or three lads and lasses tending the crofters'
cattle, that the Geese would not lie seen on the move till the sun was low, a visit was paid to the neat
of a large Gull, supposed by a fanner, who had noticed the birds, to belong ti> some uncommon species.
Owing to loose stones, considerable risk was incurred in reaching a spot to view the nest, placed on a
ledge, of rock in the face of a cliff near the Stack Huie; as a Herring-Gull rose from the eggs there was
no need for further exertion. Itav ing remained at the foot of the rocks longer than was intended,
watching some Black Guillemots and examining the pairs of Gulls breeding here and there along the coast,
the tide had shut off the track by which we descended, and it was necessary to climb the face of the cliffs.
Though the ascent was steep and somewhat arduous, there was little danger unless from falling stones,
and the summit was reached with safety by all, with the exception of the farmer, who preferred making
an attempt to pass through a cave or chasm in the cliffs by which the rising tide might be avoided.
Before long, however, he returned, having fallen into a deep pool in the darkness, nnd experienced no
little dillieulty in regaining the track; in the end he was forced to make tho ascent, which was safely
accomplished. Many sheep are lost over the rocks along this rugged coast; two were seen U)-day which
the farmer asserted would inevitably ¡terish. The unfortunate animals were feeding contentedly with
barely sufficient space to turn ; after examining the spot carefully through tho glasses, it was impossible
to ascertain the track by which they had reached the tiny green patch on which they stood.
Two of the lochs fn-quentcd by the (irese were nithiu a few hundred yards of the sheafing, and having
taken up a position on a ridge from which the whole of the surface of the larger one could lie inspected
with the glasses, I awaited the appearance of the birds shortly before their accustomed feeding-time.
The gander first came in view, making his way cautiously from a bed of rushes near a small birch-wood
that stretched down to the waterside; after snimminir slowly round in circles for a time, he 11 tie red a
few notes, and the goose, closely followed by five goslings, emerged from the birch-wood and joined her
mate. The two old birds then paddled towards a patch of short green grass—the gamier with outstretched
ueck turning bis head from side to side, constantly on the look-out for danger, evidently mindful of
his responsibility as bead of the family. By the help uf a Hump of stunted bushes and an overhanging
bank, I was now enabled to approach within the distance of thirty yards, some rank grass and rushes
affording an effectual screen. After landing, the young commenced nibbling tender shoots of the grass,
the direction they followed being regulated by their parents, who made no attempt to fend; one juvenile
who chased an insect out into the water was followed and gently chided by its maternal relative, who
immediately conducted her charges farther inland. Shortly before dusk I drew down to the water's edge,
and only needing a gander and three goslings to complete the number of specimen! required, had not
the slightest dillieulty in obtaining them. By this time the surface of the loch was a busy sight, two
more broods ni' (.ícese had come in view, and Moorhens and Little Grebes were skimming in and out
among the water-plants. Wild Ducks and Teal with their downy offspring were encountered on our way
homeward, while Curlew, Whinihrel, and Gulden I'lover incessantly proclaimed their presence on the
higher ranges. Black-throated Divers also passed over at sonic elevation from time to time, and the
G R E Y - L A G GOOSE.
whistle of the Grcenshanks Hying down to the feeding-grounds on the coast was almost incessant a*
darkness set in.
The news of our arrival •ppaared to have spread in ihe district; just as we were on the point of
turning in, a shout was heard, and two of tho crow employed at one of the lishhig-stntions EETATUABED
along the coast were ascertained to be demanding admission, bearing as presents tine salmon and a
couple of lobsters. Of course our visitors were invited to partake of such hospitality as we were able
to offer, aud a lengthened carousal was the result: the fun subsequently growing fast and furious, I
retired to my quarters in an adjoining apartment to seek repose. Prom the head forester in cliargc of
the party I learned that considerable difficulty was experienced in dissolving the meeting; end that when
quiet had at length been established, he was aroused by grunts and other strange sounds arising from
the bunks of the sleepers in the kitchen, aud on turning out and proceeding to the spot had detected a
gillie, who had imbibed unwisely, in the act of tickling the noses of his sleeping companions with a feather.
On the 29th 1 was again down at the coast, provided with ropes and a strong screw for seareliing any
ledges on which M were unable to identify the Gulls. Tin1 sheep whose unhappy plight had excited pity
on thi' previous day still ocenpied the same spot; and on carefully calculating the chances of reaching
them with safety, I came to a similar conclusion as that expressed by the farmer on our last visit. Nothing
worth recording was observed, with tho exception of the peculiar actions of the Black (iuillcmut, duly
referred to hereafter; immense numbers of Uulls nested here and there along the face of the cliffs, nnd
Shags in small colonics resorted to the caves. Towards evening I made a longer journey to other inland
lochs, nnd met with several broods of Geese aud Wild Ducks; remaining some hours later, we observed
the goslings conducted to the small cultivated patches belonging to the crofters, when: we left theni
enjoying a stolen meal—for which, I have not the slightest doubt, they would pay the penally an same
future occasion. Two or three nests of the Geese, which I examined were placed among long, coarse
heather, with a few scrubby hushes near at hand; tin- structures were of some height, bent grass being
carefully interwoven with a few marsh-plants, and the Harm lining of down supplied by the female
from ber breast.
Our largest kettle having fortunately proved of sufficient size, the salmon brought by the fishermen
was prepared for supper to-night; dishes, however, heiin; deficient;, it was served (duly soused in the liquor
in which it was boiled) in our only washing-hnsin. As our crew of fishermen and gillies Here thoroughly
tired out by a long day's work, the forester experienced no dillieulty in persuading them to retire to rest.
After supper one of the keepers, who usually Fed my retriever, drew attention to the fact that the old
bitch could not he found; under the iinprcssiou that she was sleeping in front of the fire, when' her
resting-place bad been chosen the previous night, I had not noticed her absence. A thorough March
indoors and out was instituted without success; nnd I was beginning to think some accident must hare
hnflUna her, when a piercing shriek summoned us to the kitchen, where Nell was diseovercd standiui* in a
somewhat threatening altitude on one of the hunks, the owner of which was cowering in his shirt in the
corner of the room, What had occurred was obvious at a glance: it happened the previous night that
while Nell was sleeping curled up in front of the fire, some of the smouldering peats had rolled out
of the grate as the emlwrs decayed, and, in addilion to a few slight burns, the whole of the hair had been
singed from ber tail. I romarked during the day that the mishap had caused considerable irritation,
the nllecled parte being frequently inspected and licked. Still smarting from the effects of the recent
injuries, she had doubtless sought out a spot unexposed lo similar dangers, and having finally crept
beneath the blanket on one of the bunks had, when disturbed from sleep, forcibly resented the intrusion
of the rightful owner.
When unmolested Greylags become exceedingly confiding; soon after dusk I bale repeatedly mo