57 



rumbling away among the hills to the west and 

 there appeared every indication of an approaching 

 tempest, I had come to the conclusion that it 

 would be the wisest plan to return home and renew 

 our search in more favourable weather. 



While resting for a short time after lunch on 

 the top of the hill before turning back, we were 

 surprised by a shot, and on looking with the glasses 

 far below us we could make out three men with 

 about a dozen dogs trying to bolt a fox from a 

 rough cairn of stones. We afterwards learned that 

 although the foxes had been there very lately, as 

 was clearly indicated by the remains of some fresh 

 Grouse and Hares which the terriers dragged from 

 the earth, none of the family were then at home. 



The shot had been fired at a young Eaven 

 which had been hatched in the rocks above the fox 

 cairn. The old birds were very noisy, but being 

 too good judges of distance to venture within shot 

 unfortunately escaped. 



Just then a fine cock Ptarmigan appeared on a 

 large rock close by, and as he resolutely refused to 

 leave the spot, running only a yard or two in 

 advance of us when we approached him, we 

 searched every inch of the ground, which was 

 almost a mass of large stones, but without putting 

 up the female, although by the actions of the male 

 we were nearly certain she was close at hand. I 

 also tried a brace of steady setters, which I had 

 brought up as an experiment, though I had not 

 much faith that they would be of any service. 



On returning to the lunching place we 

 discovered the three men (whom we soon recognised 

 as two keepers and a shepherd) coming in our 

 direction. 



While they were making their way uphill the 

 rain which had been threatening some time came 

 down, the thunder becoming more distant ; the 

 afternoon turned cold, a dense mist coming up with 

 the wind. 



