180 REMINISCENCES OF THE LEWS. 



one, he made up for it. But witli a woodcock 

 it was different. The moment he got on the 

 haunt of one, he waited till you came to him, 

 and then, with a '* Come along, slow coach,'* 

 on he went, and cunning must the bird have 

 been that walked away from little Jock. This, I 

 suppose, was some of his father's wonderful 

 instinct. 



" I should so like to try that Toch side with 

 the warm covert to the sun ; I am sure there's 

 an old cock grouse or two there," says dear 

 old Tom. " Why, you know I am after wood- 

 cocks to-day ; but, if you like it, you may ; 

 only remember, ten to one, the birds will fall 

 into the loch, and it will be cold work fetching 

 them." " Oh, never mind that ; only you kill, 

 I'll get them." On he goes ; and " Didn't I 

 tell you ? " he says, pointing steadily into some 

 thick heather and stones close by the water 

 edge. Up get two regular old stagers (old 

 cocks that won't pair themselves, nor let the 

 younger birds do so), as we used to call them 

 in Kerry, and, to my great satisfaction, over 

 they go, the two handsome birds, but most 

 mischievous vermin, into the loch — such 

 headers 1 The gallant old dog brings them 

 out as if it were the 12th of August, Jock 

 chuckling and laughing his little fat sides out at 



