WILD SPORTS OF THE HIGHLANDS 



remains singly or in pairs, whereas the latter birds fre- 

 quently unite in smalL flocks, particularly when they take 

 to the inland lochs, which they do at the commencement 

 of the spring. The golden- eye is frequently very fat and 

 heavy, but is of a rank, coarse flavour. 



The goosander and merganser fish constantly in the 

 river: they remain late in the spring and return early in 

 the autumn. Quick-sighted, they perceive an enemy at a 

 great distance and keep a watch on all his movements. As 

 lono- as he remains in full view and at a safe distance the 



o 



birds do not move; but the moment the sportsman con- 

 ceals himself, or approaches too near, they rise and go out 

 to sea. They are easily killed by sending a person above 

 them, and concealing oneself some way down the course 

 of the stream, as when put up, although they may at first 

 fly a short way up the water, they invariably turn down- 

 wards and repair to the open sea, following the windings 

 of the river during their whole flight. If winged, they in- 

 stantly dive, and rise at a considerable distance, keeping 

 only their heads above the water, and making for the sea 

 as fast as they can. 



They feed on small trout and eels, which they fish for 

 at the tails of the streams or in comparatively shallow 

 water, unlike the cormorant, who, feeding on good-sized 

 fish, is always seen diving in the large deep pools, where 

 they are more likely to find trout big enough to satisfy 

 their voracious appetite. The throat of the cormorant 

 stretches to a very great extent, and their mouth opens 

 wide enough to swallow a good-sized sea-trout. I saw a 

 cormorant a few days ago engaged with a largewhite trout 



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