CHAP, xxii.] THE MONAGHLIAHD MOUNTAINS. 185 



passed in going from one pool to the other. The water-ouzel, 

 too, enlivened the scene by its curious rapid flight and shrill cry, 

 as it flew from one shallow to another, or passed back over my 

 head to return to its favourite resting-stone from which I had 

 disturbed it. 



The kestrel seems to abound in the rocks through which the 

 river runs, as I saw this bird very frequently either sitting on 

 some projecting angle of stone or hovering high above me. 



The country here appears as good for grouse, as the hills near 

 the sources would be for red-deer, were they free from sheep. I 

 do not know a district in Scotland that would make a better 

 fleer-forest than that immediately round and to the westward of 

 Coignafern, where the Monaghliahd mountains afford every 

 variety of ground suited to these animals, with most excellent 

 feeding for them along the burns and straths which intersect the 

 high grounds in every direction, and the most perfect solitude. 

 It is almost a pity that the Mac Intosh does not turn this district 

 into a forest. 



