vii VALLE D'ARRAS 187 



Michell, and Tambell and Medor, the two dogs. 

 Snowing hard, afraid we could not cross the col, but 

 managed it. Arrived at Torla at 6 P.M. Saw six 

 izards to the right of the old solitaire's gorge, but too 

 late to stalk. 



Tuesday, 2Qth MarcJi 1881. Paid 350 francs for 

 the lease of the valley for this year to the town 

 councillors, and left for the " Buster " beat. A long 

 tiresome walk and stiff hot pull. Posted where I shot 

 the young male izard two years ago. Arthur Post on 

 the post below. A good deal of snow below the post. 

 Saw nothing ; Michell had found the tracks of a bear 

 going towards the White Rocks. Reached cabane at 

 about 5.30. Got out the straw, etc., and dined at 

 7.30, and to bed. 



Wednesday, $oth March 1 88 1. A glorious morning. 

 Off about eight. Arthur and I went alone up to the 

 chateau, he taking the post on it, and I the one on 

 the rock in the wood below. Sun very hot, but a cold 

 easterly wind. Later on it got clouded and cold. 

 The men put up three bouquetin which Antoine saw 

 from Cotatoire a female and two smaller beasts. They 

 crossed to the Black Rocks. In the afternoon beat the 

 little Sanctuary, but saw nothing. The choughs are 

 building. Arthur saw two mobbing an eagle yesterday. 

 Letters arrived. 



Thursday, 31 st March 1881. Pouring rain, so 

 breakfasted in bed. It cleared a little afterwards, so 

 Arthur and I took our rifles and went to the end of 

 the valley. There was a lot of snow beyond the bear's 

 tree, and we had some bother in getting through a 

 young beech wood, in which the trees for 20 feet and 

 upwards were bent to the ground with snow. Found 

 the tracks of a bouquetin going down near the Cueva. 

 Farther on found tracks of izards ; but it rained so 



