186 WITH THE WOODLANDERS. 



wealth of moorland vegetation is in rank luxuri- 

 ance, scenting the air. Although the warm heavy 

 mist is rolling slowly away here and there, nothing a 

 few paces away can yet be seen very distinctly ; but 

 moorland mists come and go at times very quickly, 

 and it will be clear presently. 



Once more the call rings out, C'm back, beck, 

 beck ! The sun is well up and the mists float 

 away; there is the wide moor in all its dewy 

 freshness, and the grouse show here and there, 

 on knolls, on stones, and on little open spots, 

 where stones crop up and tufts of vegetation are 

 scattered about. These spots are dry and warm, 

 for the sun falls direct on them. There at least 

 is one brood within range the hen grouse, with 

 her well-grown family, who will soon be as large 

 as herself; they are easily made out by their 

 lighter colour. And there is the cock, a bold 

 brave bird, one that every Highlander blesses as 

 he hears its call. Head held up, his scarlet 

 combs erected, and tail well up over his back, his 

 rich dark chestnut plumage shining in the sun, 

 his dark under parts with crescent marks of white, 

 in fine contrast with the grey littered patch he is 



