188 MEMORIAL TRIBUTE 



betook themselves to an excavation in the diluvium, 

 from the turf margin of which there hung a number of 

 slender tree-roots. One of the tits flew in among them, 

 frisked from one to another, clung to a long filament, 

 and appeared to enjoy the motion, as it swayed back- 

 wards and forwards. The other bird then joined it, and 

 they seemed content for a while to amuse themselves 

 apart from their companions. There was a general 

 merry-making among the little birds. They seemed, 

 after the labours of the day, old and young together, to 

 indulge in frolic before retiring to rest. 



Many species of mammalia, birds, and fishes, evi- 

 dently pass a portion of their time in sport. Young 

 animals are especially addicted to romping, as may be 

 seen in foals, calves, and especially lambs and kids, as 

 well as puppies and kittens. The same is observed in 

 birds, wild and domestic, in hawks, rooks, finches, and 

 poultry. No birds are more gracefully sportive than 

 ducks of all kinds are on the water. Not the gentle 

 only, but also the ferocious, enjoy themselves in this 

 manner. Eagles and ravens I have often seen wheeling 

 and gliding through the air in sport, while they gave 

 expression to their delight in loud and modulated cries. 

 Natural History of Deeside, p. 184. 



34. THE HIGHLAND Moon. 



Leaning against a cairn constructed of angular stones 

 of grey porphyry, supplied by a heap close at hand, I 



