298 THE MOOR AND THE LOCH. 



owners having an abundant supply of food wherever they chose 

 to seek it. Sea-trout of a large size I have several times seen 

 in the water-eagle's nest ; but seldom pike, and never flesh of 

 any kind. 



A gamekeeper wantonly shot the last of these beautiful 

 birds that tenanted Kilchurn's turrets, and none have replaced 

 them. I was delighted, however, when trolling Loch Awe in 

 the summer of 1850, twice to meet with a solitary osprey, 

 probably the widower of Kilchurn Castle. 



Having some arrangements to make at my summer-quarters 

 on Loch Awe about the middle of May 1850, I received a 

 message from my friend Peter Eobertson of the Black Mount, 

 the purport of which was, that as the sea-eagle had been sitting 

 hard for some time, he hoped there was little risk of a disap- 

 pointment like my last. Next evening I arrived at his house. 

 The moon in her crescent, a little shaded by dappled clouds, 

 was casting her pale glow upon the untroubled waters of the 

 forest, tempting us to steal a night-march, in order to surprise 

 the eyrie by break of day. The fragrant air of the mountains 

 made the spirit rebound, and a slight touch of adventure gave 

 zest to the whole. There was just sufficient light when we 

 neared the islet to distinguish the two eagles winging their way 

 to the mainland. Both lighted down near the shore, and eyed 

 our proceedings with an indifferent bearing. It was plain 

 enough the nest had been harried. With discomfited mien 

 the forester ascended the tree, only to confirm what we felt 

 sure of before. " I ken wha has served us this trick," said 

 Peter, setting his telescope for a last look at our quarry on the 

 shore. " He has swam in at nicht, the scoondrel, and ta'en 

 the eggs or young for fear o' his lambs. Mony a time he has 

 swam Loch Eannoch in the nicht-time to see his lass." Upon 

 inquiry, I found that this daring fellow had, night after night, 

 braved the winds and waves of that stormy loch, re-enacting 

 upon the solitudes of Eannoch the far-sung feat of the Helles- 



