238 CATALOGUE OF BIRDS. 



that I am here for the purpose of shooting the Hen 

 Harrier, and also, that I have your master's per- 

 mission for doing so. I am sorry you don't hke 

 whiskey," — ironically — " I should have had a shot 

 just now but for your coming along, and I certainly 

 shall have no chance so long as you stick here." 

 Of course I can't pretend to give verbatim what I 

 said to this keeper, but only the general drift of my 

 remarks. 



However, they had the effect of altering his 

 manner very considerably, for he became most 

 desirous to do what he could to assist me. I heard 

 afterwards that this very keeper, so anxious was he 

 to catch me, used to sally forth in the morning with 

 a powerful telescope, take up a position on some of 

 the highest ground, and survey the moors for hours ; 

 so that when I made my long tramp across country 

 from the first to the second nest, he evidently 

 spotted me through his telescope, and then marking 

 the exact spot, descended upon me like a Vulture. 

 Soon after Ross left the Hen Harrier came round 

 again, and offering me a good chance I accepted it, 

 and brought the bird down. 



Quite satisfied with my days adventure, my ghillie 

 and I made tracks back for the hotel. In regard 

 to some of the characteristics of the Hen Harrier, 

 Howard Saunders says : " Like other Harriers, 

 this species quarters the ground with great regularity 

 in search of small mammals, birds, and reptiles, 

 which form its food ; but though destructive to 

 game, there is no evidence that it is an especial 



