Salmon Fishing. 261 



I caught sight of him. And though my passion 

 for shooting has long since subsided, I still 

 retain as keen an interest as ever for my old 

 feathered favourites. And what better oppor- 

 tunity for the gratification of a taste like this 

 could there be, than in the wild secluded scenery 

 where a salmon fisher usually seeks for his 

 sport. 



The stoop of a Peregrine Falcon I once 

 witnessed into the very midst of a terrified 

 flock of Curlews ; why, rather than miss so 

 glorious a spectacle, would I most willingly 

 have fished on for a whole day without a rise, 

 and been satisfied ! 



THE STOOP OF THE PEREGRINE-FALCON. 



The sun was so bright, and the sky so blue, 



That fearless of danger the Curlews flew, 



Following the leader in close array, 



To their fav'rite feeding-grounds far away. 



Could we who are wont to dwell here below, 



What the birds were thinking of only know ; 



Not very unlike p'raps to those of men, 



Were the Curlews' thoughts, should we find out then. 



While all things around were calm and serene, 



