ON THE HIGHLAND LOCHS. 229 



feed on fish, such as the goosander, speckled diver,* mer- 

 ganser, &c., require rather different tactics. To get a shot 

 at any of these, you must watch which way they are feed- 

 ing, and, taking your station somewhat in advance, wait 

 until they pass you : they will not keep you long, as they 

 are very rapid in their movements. Take care that the 

 water is pretty deep where you place yourself, or they 

 may dive at too great a distance from the shore for a shot ; 

 but, after all, they are good for nothing but to be stuffed 

 for a collection. 



The only other bird that requires a separate notice is 

 the mighty hooper, monarch of the flood. To get a shot 



upon both. So, knowing that if the golden-eye got a glimpse of me, he 

 would not stay to take another, I was obliged to trust to the simplicity of 

 the more social morillons. I got within a fair distance for my last run, 

 when the morillons, who had caught a transient glance at my manoeuvres, 

 paid the compliment of giving me their undivided attention ; but as they 

 did not leave the ground, nor show any other sign of alarm, I was con- 

 gratulating myself that all was safe. The moment, however, that the 

 golden-eye came up from the dive, he perceived that the morillons were 

 resting on their oars, and instantly was on his guard. It was most curious 

 to see the cunning and tact of the creature, which I had every advantage 

 for observing, as I was well concealed. He kept cruising about with out- 

 stretched neck, peering first on one side of the creek, then on the other, 

 always selecting the best points of sight to halt and make his observations. 

 Nor would he recommence his repast until the morillons had set him the 

 example. And, had I not known his usual precaution of making the first 

 dive or two, after being scared, very short, he might even then have 

 escaped. 



* The black-throated diver is sometimes met with on our lochs. My 

 brother shot a young one on Loch Lomond. I killed another bird of the 

 year out of a flock of six, but unfortunately let off the old drake, a tree 

 having intercepted my shot. 



