66 LOCH CRERAfr. 



young broods and old birds cuddle together under the 

 thick evergreen leaves, particularly if the gable covered 

 thereby is warmed from a good snug room inside. Know- 

 ing all this, no sooner had the birds thoroughly settled 

 down for the night, and got well into their first sleep, than 

 one or other member of the household, armed with a long 

 stick or hoe, slipped outside and commenced to beat the 

 ivy from top to bottom. The birds are too startled all to 

 rush out on such an occasion, but so many always seek 

 to hide, and remain to die. The havoc made on some 

 occasions is considerable, and only the stretches of grain- 

 less oats and the devastated garden can still the conscience 

 when the morning light reveals the dire result. 



Yesterday morning was bitterly cold and frosty, and all 

 are crying that winter is upon us. The day before had 

 been warm in the sun, and many butterflies were abroad, 

 and so next day they also started for a ramble and en- 

 deavoured to shake their frosted wings. Those we met 

 in the shelter of the trees, where the atmosphere was 

 milder and where they had protection from the wind, 

 were sufficiently lively notably quite a number of North- 

 ern browns, but one of the same species we met in the 

 open was so benumbed that it could only stagger insanely 

 about the side of the road. Butterflies have all been very 

 scarce this summer, owing to the low temperature and 

 exceptional moisture, so that with the advent of dry 

 weather, albeit somewhat severe, they are making a last 

 effort to flutter among the leaves, now equally brilliant 

 with themselves. 



A huge box it is heavily laden with bivalves and gravel, 

 and outwardly stayed with heavyweights so we endeavour 

 at low water to lift it from the ground and fix it to the 

 stout boat, meaning to float it into shallow water as the 



