A SPRING WEEK IN THE WEST HIGHLANDS. 295 



them, or the skiff upon the loch, we were unable to decide. 

 There was not above half a foot of the barrel visible ; but the 

 eagle is of all birds the most wary, and nothing can elude 

 its eye. 



When Peter felt sure the game was up, he returned to 

 release me from my watch. I consoled myself with a hearty 

 breakfast and his assurances that we should manage better 

 next year, if we were spared, by allowing the bird to sit hard 

 before disturbing her. Had this been the case now, I should 

 certainly have had a fair shot. 



I examined carefully the erne's nest. It was very deep as 

 well as round. There could not have been less than a cart- 

 load of large sticks and twigs. I had some curiosity to know 

 whether both birds built in company, or if the male acted 

 " cad " by bringing the materials, while the female was the 

 architect. Swans are very gallant in this particular, supplying 

 their mates with aquatic plants and reeds, while these sit 

 comfortably on the nest and weave its sides. The male eagle, 

 however, would have a far harder task. I once, with much 

 interest, noticed a pair of baldcoots, on Duddingston Loch, 

 constructing their damp abode. The male supplied his mate 

 with the leaves of the water-lily, and the female came to the 

 side of the nest to receive his billful, laying it along in a neat 

 methodical way like a building mason. 



A delicious afternoon enabled us to equally enjoy our 

 return drive down the banks of the Orchy. The gorcocks, 

 in the full pride of their scarlet combs, strutted often within 

 pistol-shot of the carriage ; and at the foot of the strath, the 

 larches which grew upon the river's bank had their customary 

 complement of black-game, perched as usual near the top, and 

 busily engaged in nipping the young shoots. Within a short 

 distance of the inn at Dalmally, a brace of partridges were 

 picking up the corn just sown by the landlord. The noise of 

 our vehicle made them take wing. Immediately, an impudent 

 sparrow-hawk struck one down. I did not see the deed done, 



