148 THE MOOR AND THE LOCH. 



walking, and also be such a hindrance when crawling upon 

 ducks or running upon divers, as considerably to lessen your 

 chance ; and the India-rubber boots would in no time become 

 so perforated by briers and whins as to be of little more 

 service than a worsted stocking. The most suitable dress is 

 a light-brown duffel shooting-jacket and waistcoat, as near the 

 shade of the ground and trees in the winter season as possible, 

 your great object being to avoid the quick sight of the birds ; 

 shoes well studded with nails, like a deer-stalker's, to prevent 

 slipping ; and a drab-coloured waterproof cap. Should the 

 weather be very cold, I sometimes put on two pairs of worsted 

 stockings, but never attempt any protection from the wet. 



If snow is on the ground, wear a white linen cover to your 

 shooting-jacket, and another to your cap. 



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 an ounce 

 and a half to an ounce and three-quarters of No. 3 or 4 shot 

 (I prefer the latter), both very strong and regularly distributed. 

 Its elevation must be most true ; if anything, 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. Unless for geese or hoopers 1 (when, 



1 Except in the hardest winters, geese of any description seldom pitch upon 

 the Highland lochs. 



In the winter of 1841, some flocks of the bean-goose appeared on Loch Lomond 

 during the first storm. They remained about a week, and, when seen, were 

 always feeding on the shores. Three of them my brother killed. I never knew 

 this to occur before ; for although wild geese have occasionally pitched for a short 

 time, they always chose the deep inaccessible places of the loch, and, after resting 

 for a few hours, took their departure without attempting to feed. I went to the 

 loch shortly after the geese had left it, but the thaw unfortunately began the 

 next day ; and of the five days I remained, it rained nearly three. I, however, 

 bagged thirty-eight head of wild-fowl, mallards, golden-eyes, dun-birds, widgeon, 

 tufted and scaup ducks my charge never exceeding If oz. of shot. It was a 

 curious fact that there were fewer hoopers that winter than in many of far less 

 severity. Scarcely any came to Loch Lomond at all, and I did not see one, 



