JULY, 1881. 



encouraging the noble birds, the farmer was quite as 

 anxious to have the nest destroyed. A thrill of pleasure 

 passed through us as we all looked at the beautiful young 

 giant among birds, and king of the grouse lands, and 

 willingly would we have taken it with us but for the 

 feeding part of the programme, no slight consideration. 

 So we were content perforce to have one of the kestrils, 

 and our hands have been quite sore with the onslaughts 

 it has made upon them both with teeth and claws. The 

 latter are the most amusing parts to watch, as the most 

 instinctive movement in the bird is that of endeavouring 

 to clutch at everything in the way, and strike with fearless 

 determination at any supposed antagonist. This action 

 is most powerfully characteristic, and in such a young 

 creature is most amusing. It has no idea of fear what- 

 ever, and very little intelligence apparently, as it does not 

 normally distinguish between friend and antagonist, nor 

 even between those actions that are kindly and those 

 that are questionable. 



We were amused with the gambols of a seal on our 

 way to Appin, as if it had a leaf of tangle in its mouth, 

 with which it apparently enjoyed itself gambolling 

 recklessly around. The people in the vicinity declare 

 this to be no unusual action with him, and that he 

 frequently comes up when in a rollicking mood and 

 disports himself thus, tangle in teeth ? 



The sheldrakes, recently hatched and apparently doing 

 well, were set upon a few days after their advent by two 

 tame gulls, with their strong beaks, and the whole lot 

 killed. 



Later we heard strange tales of his Royal Highness, 

 and desire to know the truth. So we turn the key of the 

 door softly, and enter with our companion. There the 



