WILD SPORTS OF THE HIGHLANDS 



as the fruit becomes red on the trees. I invariably observe 

 that at this season one or two jackdaws arrive first, flj'ing 

 round and round at a great height above the garden. After 

 some chattering between themselves they fly away, re- 

 turning some hours afterwards with the rest of their fam- 

 ily, four or five in number; and if not checked by a few 

 charges of shot, these first intruders soon invite every 

 jackdaw in the country to the feast, their numbers increas- 

 ing every day, till I am obliged to take active steps against 

 them. 



Aboutthe second weekinjulytheyoungwild ducks begin 

 to fly. Those hatched high up in the country usually make 

 their way down to the sea-side in that month. They follow 

 the course of some stream or river till they arrive at their 

 destination. Like the fable of the ostrich hiding her head 

 when pursued, the young wild ducks when chased on the 

 river will frequently dip their heads under the water, and 

 keeping it there till they are nearly drowned, fancy them- 

 selves secure, although their whole body is exposed. If 

 taken up, and put into some enclosed yard or garden, they 

 will soon become tolerablytame,andgetveryfat if wellfed. 

 The whole of my poultry-yard (as far as ducks are concern- 

 ed) is supplied by a breed of half wild and half tame ducks, 

 originating in some young drakes caught, and turned out 

 with the tame ducks — the tame drakes being all sent away, 

 in order to ensure the proper cross in thebreed.Thebirdsare 

 very much improved for the table by this cross, and are quite 

 as tame as the common domestic duck, only showing their 

 wild parentage in an inclination to hide their nests, and to 

 build at a distance from home — always, however, if allow- 



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