104 I.ETTKliS OF AX ORNTTirOI.OOIST. 



good idea of the spot they will choose — a precipitous cliff, generally tenanted 

 by a pair of Kestrels and several Hooded Crows. The latter seemed jealous 

 of this encroachment, and two pairs of these Crows constantly followed them 

 with vociferous cries; the short, angry bark of the Ravens warned them not 

 to interfere with them; but the Hooded Crow is a bold, determined fellow, 

 with powerful bill and claws, too, which he uses with effect in a skirmish. 

 His cries also never fail to collect all his clan to his assistance: in this way 

 I have often seen Kestrels and Merlins miserably hustled; and the lordly 

 Peregrine does not pass without being insulted. They pursue the small Hawks 

 with great venom and fury; and although I never saw a battle terminate 

 fatally, yet I have occasionally met with their bones and carcasses. On one 

 occasion I picked up a fine Buzzard, only a few hours dead, with no mark 

 of violence but a slight wound upon the head. How deceased met with his 

 death there was not sufficient evidence to prove, but I was tempted to return 

 a verdict of wilful murder against some Hoody or Hoodies unknown. 



I returned yesterday from a short cruise about the north-west parts of 

 Midi. I was disappointed in my expectations of getting Widgeon, as they 

 had got very shy since the fine weather set in, though I saw some large 

 flocks floating about the lochs, but keeping far out of range, even of swan- 

 shot. The only good fortune I had was while rowing through the sound of 

 Ulva, where I saw a party of three Great Northern Divers very busy fishing, 

 and calling to one another with loud hoarse shouts. I rowed up close to one, 

 and fired a charge of No. 7 into him at thirty yards, and, without stopping, 

 held on in the direction of his consort, who had dived at the report, but 

 rose again close to the boat, and another shot stretched her on her back. 

 The third was not much • scared, but would not let me approach him, and I 

 was not very anxious to pursue him. These are very large birds, and they 

 weigh, I am sure, fourteen pounds each, though I have not weighed them 

 yet. The skin of one is very little hurt, which I will try to preserve: they 

 are only in their plain winter garb. 



Immediately after meeting with these great monsters, I found myself 

 surrounded by the other extreme of the family of Colyuibidjc, namely, three 

 most minute little Dobchicks, or Grebes. Their activity utterly set my shooting 

 at defiance; and, with a heavy boat deeply laden with ballast, I could not 

 attempt pursuing them till they were fatigued, which is the only mode of 

 getting them. I remembered your inquiries about Grebes; but as there are a 

 few in our neighbourhood, in Mull, I intend to take a light punt to pursue 

 them with, and so I will defer making any remarks concerning them till 

 after this opportunity of studying their habits. Yesterday, in returning home, 

 my mate and I had to pull the entire distance, twenty-five miles; which 

 gave us hard work from two p. m. till ten, besides a walk of ten miles over 

 the hills in the morning. 



(To be coiitiiiKcd.) 



