ON THE HIGHLAND LOCHS. 27 



my utmost caution, however, was unavailing, and the birds 

 rose like rockets. I never hesitate concealing myself 

 to windward of the spot where I expect ducks to pitch, 

 feeling confident that unless I move they will not find 

 me out. I have often had them swimming within twenty- 

 five yards of me, when I was waiting for three or four in 

 line, the wind blowing direct from me to them, without 

 perceiving by any signs their consciousness of an enemy's 

 vicinity.* 



When the weather is very hard, and ducks are driven 

 to the springy drains, a simple way of getting fair shots, 

 but seldom practised, is, to make your man keep close to 

 the drain, and take your own place fifteen yards from it, 

 and about forty in advance of him. The ducks will then 

 rise nearly opposite to you. To walk along the drain is 

 not a good plan, as they will generally rise either out of 

 distance or very long shots : and if you keep a little way 

 off, they may not rise at all. When the loch is low the 

 sportsman may often get a capital shot at ducks, the first 

 warm sunny days in March, as they collect on the grassy 

 places at the margin, to feed upon the insects brought 

 into life by the genial heat. 



* Perhaps the sportsman may ask what it signifies whether wild- 

 fowl are aware of your approach by hearing or winding ? My answer 

 is, that although it is of little consequence when crawling upon ducks, 

 yet when lying concealed, expecting them to pitch, it is a considerable 

 advantage to "know that you will not be detected by their sense of 

 smell ; otherwise the best refuge for a shot must often be abandoned 

 for a much worse. 



