THE SNIPE LOCHS. FISH- LORE. 03 



Fred and he had shot well they might have bagged 

 twenty or thirty couple : as it was, they had 

 thirteen couple, which I consider very good for 

 this country, and not bad anywhere. They saw 

 no teal, but came on a late covey of mallards, full- 

 grown, but not yet able to fly, which were secured, 

 as they were not likely to be found again. 



There must be something peculiarly attractive to 

 snipe in this desolate-looking hollow, as Archie 

 says it is seldom without some, and the birds 

 were in fine feather and condition; but nobody can 

 clear up the mystery of snipe and woodcocks' food, 

 as many places which seem perfect lying and feeding 

 grounds for longbills never hold one; while here 

 there is nothing to remark, except the sheltered 

 gloom of the place, and the vivid greens and reds 

 of the mosses. 



On the way to the shealing it was proposed to 

 walk by the hill-tops, and get some blue hares. 

 By this season it is not easy to distinguish the 

 young ; and Fred, by no means cxigeant, fired 

 at every hare he saw ; but some leverets were 

 shot. 



Being yet early in the afternoon, Archie sug- 

 gested that we should take a round north by the 



