174 FIELD-NOTES FOR THE YEAR. CH. XII. 



but I can see the ducks between me and the 

 sky almost as soon as they leave it. At first a 

 solitary pair or two come, quietly and swiftly, pro- 

 bably making their way to some favourite spring- 

 farther inland. However, with the help of a car- 

 tridge, I bring down a brace from a great height as 

 they pass over ; sometimes tumbling on the ice of 

 the loch behind me, they are nearly split in two ; 

 sometimes, when winged, they fall in the rushy 

 stream, and give the retriever no small trouble and 

 cold before he gets them ; however, he always suc- 

 ceeds, and having brought the bird and received his 

 reward of ship-biscuit, he lies down again, but with 

 eyes and ears all intent on what is going on. The 

 sea-gull or heron may pass, and he takes no notice 

 of them ; but the moment that a wild-duck's quack, 

 or the whistle of his wings, is heard, the dog's ears 

 erect themselves, and he watches my face with a 

 look of most inquiring eagerness. I hear the wild- 

 swans " trumpeting " on the sea, but know that 

 they are not very likely to come where I am placed. 

 Presently, however, a brace of teal pitch suddenly, 

 and unexpectedly, within a few yards of me, having 

 flitted in from behind. 



I kill the drake, but cannot get a shot at the 

 duck, as she flies low, and the smoke hanging heavily 

 in the calm evening, prevents my seeing her. How- 



