36 



CHAPTER TV. 



THE HAERIS LOCHS AND A WORD ABOUT 

 DOG EEAEING. 



I WAS disappointed with the first winter I spent 

 in the Lews. I had expected to see many wild 

 things there, but noticed few. Of eagles, gulls, 

 hawks, ravens, and crows, there were plenty, 

 and some martin cats ; but I had expected 

 numbers of wild-fowl, in which I was mis- 

 taken. There were ducks and teal, occasionally 

 wild geese (these last breed in the island). I 

 have heard of wild swans, which are occa- 

 sionall}^ shot, but never saw one. From the 

 lochs, on which the wild fowl are, being very 

 open, they are hard to be got at. Snipes and 

 plover breed in the country, but generally 

 leave it towards the middle or end of October. 

 Some remained, and many came over from other 

 parts to those more northern and western. 

 Golden plover breed largely there, and abounded 

 on the north and west ; but, though a famous 

 bird to eat, I never saw much pleasure in that 



