LETTER VIII. 79 



striking a light, as you may meet deep holes and black pools of 

 water ; and it is not unlikely but you may see the twinkling eyes 

 of an Otter peeping out through the gloom. These caves generally 

 have legends attached to them, such as of fugitive clansmen hiding 

 from the pursuit of the avenger of blood, of wholesale deeds of 

 murder, or of wild scenes of diablerie ; and the names of the 

 Cave of Death, the Pit of Slaughter, and the Hobgoblin's Den are 

 often met with, and human bones actually are often discovered in 

 them. 



These haunts of bygone murderers, smugglers, and outlaws 

 are now only tenanted by Doves, the emblems of innocence. They 

 may be seen perpetually flitting in and out, some parties going 

 off to feed, others returning to rest ; a few birds sitting about the 

 entrance, pluming themselves in the sunshine, or quietly dozing 

 upon a sheltered ledge of rock. Upon a near approach, the cooing 

 of the old birds may be heard, together with the querulous peep- 

 peeping of the young demanding food, and the occasional stir of 

 wings ; but upon any alarm being given, the voices are imme- 

 diately silenced, the clang and whir of wings reverberate from 

 the profundity of the cave, and out pours a long stream of snowy 

 bosoms and silver win'gs, which swiftly skim along the surface of 

 the sea, and disappear round the next headland. In lona alone 

 (though but a small island) we have as many as nine or ten caves 

 frequented by Pigeons, and in nearly every island of the Hebrides 

 there is sure to be one cave called par excellence " Ua' Caloman," 

 the Pigeon Cave. 



I believe this Dove is only found upon the coast, though I am not 

 aware what attraction the seashore has for it ; certainly with us it 



