112 ELGIN. 



till ten at night. It was some time before I could get a sight of 

 the bird, as he sings always in the thickest part of the foliage. 



July 26th. In Pluscarden Wood I found a woodcock's nest 

 with three eggs at the foot of a tree. The forester told me that 

 he had flushed the old bird off it seven days back. She appeared 

 not to have returned. About 200 yards from the place I shot 

 an old woodcock, with a young one rather larger than a snipe. 

 They were in a dry high part of the wood, far from any marshy 

 or wet ground. 



July 27 th. My retriever brought to me while looking for 

 ducks in Spynie a water-rail about two or three days old, the old 

 one following the dog and uttering cries of alarm and anger. He 

 also caught and brought an old coot with its quill feathers all 

 out, so that it could not fly. The dog always kills an old coot, 

 though he does not hurt a wild duck in the least. I suppose 

 that the reason is that the coot scratches him jeverely with her 

 sharp claws. 



August 23rd. Immense numbers of wild ducks come now to 

 feed on the standing barley. Swallows and martins collect in 

 large flocks. 



September 1 9th. Went to Tain. 



September 24th. In woods near Tain saw a great many 

 crossbills. 



A large stag was going about amongst the other deer, 

 occasionally roaring, though not regularly yet. They were, 

 however, rolling in the pools every night. - , 



September 30th. Very wild day. Eight swans arrived at 

 Spynie. I saw that one had been wounded from a mark of 

 blood on his wing, but he did not seem much hurt. They were 

 all pure white. 



October 23rd. This season seems remarkable for a great 

 abundance of two different things wood-pigeons and acorns. 

 The former do not feed much on acorns in this country. 



I scarcely remember sitting down to eat my luncheon in any 

 wood in this country when shooting or fishing without a robin 

 appearing close to me, who watches my proceedings, and the 



