THE BIRDS OF A NORTHERN LOCH 65 



young. Very soon after the keeper left 

 I saw a movement by the nest, and 

 the next moment realized what had 

 happened. A Hooded Crow, one of the 

 worst thieves in the whole of Bird- 

 land, had swooped down and carried one 

 of the Goslings away. I waited for its 

 return, and sure enough in a few minutes 

 it came down again. I shouted at it and 

 tried to drive it away, but I was too late 

 and another Gosling had been carried 

 away ! For some time I did not see it 

 again, and I thought that my shouting 

 had frightened it away ; but such was not 

 the case, for presently I heard a loud cry 

 from the Geese, and above me there was 

 a great fluttering of wings, and although 

 the two large birds were trying to drive the 

 robber away, he was too smart for them, 

 and he swooped down and in a flash had 

 carried away the third Gosling. It was 

 disappointing to me, for I knew I should 

 not have another opportunity to photo- 



