178 BIRDS OF LOCH AND MOUNTAIN 



that on Lochnagar, Ben Muich Dhui, and their 

 other strongholds they do not descend much below 

 3,000 feet. All round the plateau pack after pack 

 of Grouse get up, and, rising against the wind, 

 gradually swerve off and fly down-wind at express 

 speed. The birds are exceptionally wild and take 

 wing while we are yet several hundred yards from 

 them. 



Although it is only two o'clock the sky to 

 the south-east, from Mount Keen to Kerloch, is 

 lit up a beautiful pink, as though the sun has al- 

 ready set. Morven's southern slopes have many 

 deep and soft wreaths on them, but we strike off 

 to the right and gain the summit plateau at the 

 eastern cairn, which is partly of natural formation. 

 Ere reaching the summit, however, we have some 

 snow climbing to do, as a drift some 200 yards long 

 and exceedingly steep bars the way, and at one 

 point we are almost blown from our scanty footing 

 by the force of the gale. On the distant wreaths 

 coveys of Grouse stand or run weirdly about, looking 

 very comical on the snow, and a number of hares run 

 quickly for safety from their natural enemy. Several 

 roosting hollows of the Grouse are discovered, some 

 containing fresh droppings, and it is suggested that 

 a bed on the snow must prove rather chilly when 

 there is so much bare ground all round. 



As we emerge on the summit plateau the wind 

 blows with hurricane force ; but at length we gain the 

 shelter of the cairn, about 400 yards distant, and 

 gaze our full at the glorious view which it is given 

 us to enjoy. During the ascent a thin grey mist 

 has at times passed over the higher reaches of the 

 hill, but has been borne onwards by the gale. We 

 have climbed Morven many a time, but never has 



