ON THE HIGHLAND LOCHS. 21 



A gun suitable for this sport is indispensable. It 

 certainly ought to be a double-barrel, and as large as 

 you can readily manage ; it must fit you to a nicety, and 

 carry from two to three ounces of No. 3 or 4 shot, (I 

 prefer the latter,) both very strong and regularly distri- 

 buted. Its elevation must be most true, if any thing 

 over-elevated. As to length of barrel, calibre, &c., every 

 man will, of course, suit his own fancy, and give his 

 directions accordingly. Should he not be au-fait at this, 

 by explaining the sort of gun he wants to any of the 

 first-rate makers, he need not doubt their giving him 

 satisfaction, and none more so than William Moore. I 

 never use any shot larger than No. 4, except for hoopers,* 

 (when, of course, I would sacrifice my chance at other 

 birds,) as a fair shot at a small bird like a teal might 

 be missed with larger ; and a man should not go alarm- 

 ing the whole shore, firing random shots at flocks of 

 fowl nearly out of reach on the water. 



Next in importance to the gun, is a proper retriever. 

 The Newfoundland is not quite the thing: first, his 

 black colour is against him brown is much to be pre- 

 ferred : then, I should wish my dog occasionally to assist 

 me in this inland shooting, by beating rushes or thick 

 cover up creeks, where you may often plant yourself 

 in an open situation for a shot, and your dog put up 



* Wild-geese, bernacle, brent-geese, &c., seldom pitch upon the 

 Highland lochs ; the former only for a short time to rest. 



