138 AUTUMNS ON THE SPEY. 



scene for some time, I perceived that the roedeer 

 were becoming gradually aware of my presence, 

 having evidently " got my wind." First they 

 raised their heads and stared almost incredulously 

 at my place of concealment, as if doubting the 

 possibility of an enemy having approached so near 

 them without discovery. Then suddenly taking 

 alarm, they trotted off rapidly into the depth of the 

 forest. Next the heron rose from the extremity 

 of the little island where he had so long remained 

 motionless, and, extending his legs behind him, 

 flew lazily to the other end of the tarn, rousing 

 the cormorant on his way, who with a more rapid 

 flight quitted the scene altogether and disappeared 

 over the trees in the direction of the river. In 

 the meantime many of the wild-ducks and teal, 

 having taken wing immediately after the departure 

 of their friend and sentinel, the heron, collected 

 together in small parties and continued to circle 

 over my head, ever increasing their distance, but 

 apparently unwilling to quit their favourite haunts, 

 until at last, finding they had no just cause for 

 disquietude, they gradually approached the water 

 again, and finally settled down at the further ex- 

 tremity of the loch. 



I rejoice to say that the herons are strictly pre- 



