252 THE PEAT ISLE. 



both years, and, by the merest chance, the thaw began, in 

 both seasons, the very day I had fixed to leave the loch, 

 when the frost was at the hardest. Neither swans nor 

 geese showed themselves either year ; but, had the storm 

 been more severe, we should, no doubt, have had some 

 fine chances at them. 



Inch Tavannach and Inch Connachan were teeming with 

 roe ; we seldom passed their shores, especially in the even- 

 ing, without seeing sometimes seven or eight together. 



Ducks and widgeon generally keep the lee-shores ; this, 

 however, need not disconcert the stalker, if he only does 

 not let them hear him. I have constantly observed that 

 they wind you best in calm weather. In high wind never 

 fear their noses, even should it blow direct from you to 

 them. My brother has a gunning-punt upon Loch 

 Lomond, and it was well ascertained, and constantly 

 affirmed, by the boatmen, that the approach with the 

 wind was far " shurer " than when working against it. 

 They always, therefore, tried to advance upon fowl with 

 a favouring gale. From the smallness of the flocks, in 

 comparison with those on the sea-coast, and also from the 

 places where they sheLered being often inaccessible to 

 the punt, it has always been considered a failure on our 

 loch. 



On looking down upon divers with your head on a level 

 with the ground, take care that you do not fancy them 



very severe. This last winter, 1851, brought plenty rain, a full loch, and 

 scarcely any water-fowl. It is useless to attempt wild sport on the 

 Highland lochs in the open winters, and I never do so. 



