162 GAME BIRDS AND WILD FOWL. 



Scardroy Lodge was a long low building situ- 

 ated in a gorge in the very heart of the Highlands. 

 In front a broad belt of moorland sloped down to 

 the clear waters of Loch Benachran, which was 

 well stocked with trout, and haunted during 

 certain seasons by wild ducks and various species 

 of water-fowl. Lofty mountains rose from the 

 opposite side of the lake, gradually ascending 

 higher and higher until the heathery brows were 

 at last succeeded by the grey rocks, where the red 

 grouse gave way to the ptarmigan. Still farther 

 to the right the hills appeared to be abruptly 

 severed, and frowned over the water, in which 

 their image was distinctly reflected. Opposite to 

 them, and nearer to the lodge, a rapid river 

 rushed into the lake, after wandering through a 

 wilderness of moor in the rear, and watering 

 many a secluded valley, where the crack of the 

 rifle was seldom heard, and where the lazy stag 

 might slake his thirst in undisturbed security. 

 Such was Scardroy : and here with an experienced 

 falconer and trusty keepers, his hawks and his 

 dogs, Colonel Bonham took up his quarters, and 

 passed a great portion of many years in the full 

 enjoyment of his favourite pursuit. He had at 

 one time as many as twelve peregrines, most of 

 which he had obtained on the northern coast of 

 Ireland. Certain lofty cliffs in the counties of 



