CORVUS CORAX. 445 



rock is vast. He shot two as they were flying to roost some 

 nights before. " Step up here," he said, " and I will show you 

 the carcase of a red deer buck, as you seem interested in 

 natural history." So we stalked a short way up among the 

 trees. There lay the carcase of the deer. " That fellow was 

 wounded last year, and though his leg was broken, he kept up 

 with the others, and being more wary, we never could get near 

 him. He has been struck with two bullets, one on the antler 

 (which was broken) and this on the bone of the leg," showing 

 me the broken leg, which nature had mended. "He has been 

 large," I said. " No, he would not be above 16 stones at his 

 best, and we have shot them 23 J stones weight. He seemed 

 as big as a donkey, had left the hills, and come down to this 

 secluded spot near the loch to die. As the carcase had lain some 

 time there was a strong smell. " Is it not strange the ravens 

 had not found it out, so near their roosting-place V I remarked. 

 " They couldn't see it down here for the trees," he said. " No, 

 but they might have scented it, and this proves that carrion 

 birds are not guided by scent, but by eyesight, for that dead 

 stag would not have lain so long on the open heath or mountain- 

 side near so many ravens without being seen and pounced upon," 

 I replied. " I am afraid not," he said. I felt satisfied with 

 this convincing proof of it being the eye, not the scent, that 

 directs carrion birds to their prey, for here was the natural test 

 which Audobon applied to the vultures in America by his 

 stuffed deer in the open, and his dead hog amongst trees. As 

 well say the kestrel, when hovering above a mouse or a beetle 

 on a stubble field is guided by its scent, not by its piercing eye, 

 or that the wheeling solan goose, or restless tern, fluttering 

 above the sea, peering down below its surface, is directed by an 

 impossible scent before they make their unerring plunge ; so is 

 it the same perfect natural telescope which guides the vulture, 

 the raven, and the carrion crow to their lifeless prey. Without 

 its eyes I fear you may take the raven's life, as its scent, 

 however fine, would never lead it to its unseen food. As four 

 herons flew by, I asked if they bred here. " Yes, over yonder 

 on the high trees in Gordon Bush," he said. "Oh, yes, I 

 noticed them yesterday when walking up that side of the loch," 

 I replied. When we reached the head of the loch my obliging 

 friend, after directing me how to go up the glen to Balmakyle 

 (though too late for that day), advised me to go round by the 

 other side of the loch, shook hands, and parted. It was well I 

 did so, for when I got back to Brora it was dark. Many stories 



