POLTALLOCH 15 



it is distressing to see a badly-hit creature 

 struggle away to die a lingering death in some 

 cairn or hole. One drawback is the carriage of 

 the bag. A keeper or gillie dangling at one's heels 

 is destructive to sport of this kind ; yet it is quite 

 easy soon to kill more than most sportsmen would 

 care to carry with them. The best plan is to have 

 an attendant to keep you in sight with instruc- 

 tions to remain at least 200 yards behind, and 

 only follow to gather up the game when you have 

 disappeared over the sky-line. 



The fox is, of course, regarded as pure vermin, 

 and even a greater enemy to the farmer than to the 

 game preserver. The number killed at Poltalloch 

 during the three years 1894, 1895, and 1896 were 

 84, 63, and 75 respectively. 9, 7, and 8 otters, 

 and 3, 4, and 4 badgers were also trapped in the 

 same years. I do not think much trouble is 

 taken to catch these last, and fancy they are still 

 fairly numerous, although their nocturnal habits 

 render them rarely visible to the ordinary visitor 

 to the Highlands. I never myself saw one in a 

 wild state ; but this proves nothing, as I only saw 

 foxes on the hills or in the woods on three or 

 four occasions during my autumn rambles on the 

 West Coast, although they are so numerous as to 

 be a nuisance. 



I have never had the good fortune to see the 

 golden eagle on the Poltalloch estate, although I 

 have frequently watched its splendid flight in and 



