fcribes three of the fpecies found in Scotland: the Capercalze, which
he truly fays feeds on the extreme fhoots of the pine: the common
grous, with its feathered feet; and the black cock. He
omits the ptarmigan. It has been my fortune to meet with every
kind : the three laft frequently ; the Capercalze only at Invernefs.
W oodcocks . Woodcocks appear in Breadalhane, in the beginning or middle of
November; but do not reach Ard-maddie, or, I may fay, any part of
the weftern coaft of the highlands till the latter end of December
or beginning of January. They continue there in plenty till the
middle or latter end of March, according to the mildnefs or rigor
of the feafon; and then difappear at once.. In the firft feafon-they
continue arriving in fucceffion for a month ; and in every county
in Scotland (where they are found) fly regularly from eaft to weft.
Their firft landing-places are in the eaftern counties, fuch as
Angus, Merns, &c. ufually about the end of Obiober-, but their ftay
in thofe parts is very ihort, as woods are fa fcarce. Woodcocks
are very rarely feen in Cathnefs; and there are ftill fewer in the
Orknies, or in the more remote Hebrides: one or two appear
there, as if by accident driven thither by. tempefts, not voluntary
migrants. There is no account of thefe birds having ever bred
in Scotland, any more than of the F ie ld e fa re and R edw ing;
yet all three make their fummer refidence in Norway; from
whence, in all probability, many of them vifitour iflands. ’
E a g l e s . Sea eagles breed in ruined towers, but quit the country in
winter; the black eagles continue there the whole year. They
were fo numerous a few years ago in Rannoch, that the commif-
fioners of the forfeited eftates gave a reward of five fhillin^s for
every one that was deftroyed. In a little time fuch numbers' were
brought
brought in, that the honorable board thought fit to reduce the
.reward to thrie fhillings and fixpence : but a fmall advance, in
proportion as the- birds grew fcarcer, in all probability would
have effected their extirpation.— But to refume the journey— The
whole road on the fide of the Lake is excellent, often crofled by
gullies, the effecfts of the great rains, or torrents from the melted
fnow. The Public are indebted to Lord Breadalbane, not only for
the goodnefs of the way, but for above thirty bridges, all made
at his expence, to facilitate the paflage. Crofs the opening into
the little plain of Fortingal, mentioned in my former Tour, noted
for its camp, the moft northern work of the Romans that I could
get any intelligence of. It feems to have been the Caftellum of
fome advanced party in the time of Antonine, or Commodus, or
perhaps a temporary ftation in that of Severus, in whofe reign the
Romans abandoned thefe parts. A copper veflel, with a beak
handle, and three feet, was found in it. I did not hear of any
coins met with on the fpot: but, in digging the foundation of a
tower near Lay mouth, fourteen filver denarii were difcovered ; but
none of a later date than Marcus Aurelius.
I muft alfo commemorate again the wonderful yew tree in the
church-yard o f Fortingal, whofe ruins meafure fifty-fix feet in
circumference. The middle part is now decayed to the ground ;
but, within memory, was united to the height of three feet; Captain
Campbel, of Glen-lion, having allured me that, when a boy, he
has often climbed over, or rode on, the then connedting part.
Our anceftors feem to have had a claflical reafon, for planting thele
difmal trees among the repofitorjes of the dead.; and a political
one, for placing them about their houfes; in the firft inftance, they
E were
F o r t i n o a l .
G r e a t y e w .