THE PEAT ISLE. 235 



gamekeeper had his water-dog nearly drowned by one of 

 them when retrieving a wild-duck. He managed, how- 

 ever, to shoot the erne, the talons of which were long 

 preserved as a trophy. I have seldom done much execu- 

 tion there with my gun, from the difficulty of approaching 

 such a multitude of eyes over a dead level, where there is 

 not a bush or tree to serve as a screen. 



When the hoopers come to the loch, they are generally 

 first observed at this part of Inch Moan ; but to get a shot 

 is next to impossible, as they can sound the bottom at the 

 distance of several hundred yards from the land, and 

 seldom feed nearer. They are also excellent watchmen 

 for the fowl resting on the banks, and it is astonishing to 

 see the quickness with which the latter notice the slightest 

 sign of alarm shown by their white sentinels. But 

 although I have had many disappointments from the 

 aforesaid causes, yet by watching them at a distance with 

 my glass, I have taken many a lesson in the habits of 

 the birds, and got useful hints for future operations. 



A short distance from the shore, perhaps, may be seen 

 a flock of tufted ducks, diving at longer or shorter 

 intervals, according to the depth of the water; seldom 

 appearing at the top without their mouthful of grass, 

 which is cunningly watched by a stray mallard or two, 

 ready to pounce upon the prize the moment it is seen. 

 The mallard, however, but rarely succeeds in his piracy, 

 as the divers generally manage to gulp down their mouth- 

 ful. At last, tired of the bootless chase, the plunderers 

 join their comrades at the margin, contenting themselves 



