XII 

 AMONG THE BORDER STREAMS 



THE southern uplands, if less popular than 

 the north, are, probably, more beloved by 

 those who frequent them. It was of this district 

 that Scott made the remark, " If I did not see it 

 once a year, I think I should die." The same spell 

 took me back year after year. 



There is no deer forest within its limits ; perhaps 

 no seclusion among the moderate heights absolute 

 enough to furnish the necessary conditions. The 

 roe runs wild. The capercaillie is unknown, 

 although there is no reason why it should not 

 appear in the patches of fir which are beginning 

 once more to diversify the hills, and mark the 

 renaissance of the old Ettrick forest. 



Grouse abound, as one would expect, in the land 

 of brown heath ; but are probably not so numerous 

 on a like space, as in the north. Blackcock are the 



19* 



