218 THE MOOR AND THE LOCH. 



the woodcock. The season of 1864-65 was reckoned the 

 worst woodcock year which the natives remember, while the 

 preceding one was the best. Several of the shepherds as- 

 sured me that, in the winter of 1864-65, there was not one 

 for ten of the previous season ; and yet, in comparison with 

 much of the cover-shooting I have rented, the woodcock sport 

 of 1864-65 in Bute was really superior. With the exception 

 of one distant snap, and taking all chances as they came, I 

 had the good hap to bag the first fourteen woodcocks I fired 

 at last winter. When hard frost set in, the average bag was 

 from three to five couple, besides a fair score of other game. 

 In a really good woodcock year, I have little doubt ten or 

 twelve couple might easily be bagged on one day by a supe- 

 rior shot. 



The variety of the early winter shooting of the Kyles keeps 

 excitement alive, and adds zest to the sport. My diary of 

 the 21st of November 1865 notes that my son and I killed 

 grouse, blackcock, woodcock, wild duck, moor-hen, rabbit, 

 and roe-deer. On the following Wednesday, the 23d, grouse, 

 black-game, partridge, woodcock, snipe, hare, and rabbit. 



Flying overhead, or pitched among the marshes, large flocks 

 of golden plover and curlews sometimes give occasion for " a 

 family shot." The former keep much among the higher hill- 

 tops, while the curlews chiefly affect the waste ground close 

 to the sea. Both breed freely on the Bute moors ; and one 

 summer, when a pair of curlews were screaming and dodg- 

 ing our path, my retriever made a sudden stop at my heel. 

 On giving him leave, he coolly walked a little way and 

 laid hold of what (from the commotion it made) I fancied 

 a leveret. The prisoner, a young curlew, was delivered up 



jack a good way off, loaded, and then desired the dog to fetch it. He carefully 

 brought and laid it down at iny feet, with every appearance of satisfaction and 

 comfort. This is no doubt one of those retailed blunders which may pass 

 muster long enough from not being challenged and proved false. 



