THE WILDS OF SUTHERLAND. 253 



you allow Ross to beat Sutherland after this 

 fashion ! " 



A most interesting and valuable map of the 

 county was shown us by Mr M. It was dis- 

 covered in Dunrobin Castle by the late Duke, 

 and is entirely finished by the pen. Ships 

 stand for the sea cattle, &c., represent land ; 

 and in addition to its topographical merits as a 

 map, the whole is executed with exquisite artistic 

 skill. 



The drive from Inchnadamff to our first 

 starting-point, the inn of Ardgay, was chiefly 

 through Sir C. Ross's estates. This day, on a 

 lonely stretch of moorland, a sea- eagle crossed 

 our path. It kept long in view, and its wild and 

 Wayward wheels gave life and interest to a barren, 

 dreary tract. This was the first royal bird we 

 discovered during our tour ; and although the 

 course lay quite round the forest of Loch Stack, 

 the deer seem to have avoided the sheep-runs, 

 and kept strictly to their reserved ground. On 

 my last visit to this county nine years since, 

 although never beyond the bounds of sheep 

 pasturage, we noticed deer almost every day. 



