CH. XXXIV. WILD CAT. 



225 



near approach, and after flying some distance up 

 the stream, coming back again over my head, making 

 with their rapid pinions the peculiar clanging noise 

 which distinguishes their flight from that of any 

 other duck. They passed me unmolested, for had 

 we killed them they would have been useless. In- 

 deed no diving duck is fit to eat, with the exception 

 perhaps of the pochard and scaup ; and even these, 

 although I have heard them much praised, are far 

 inferior to mallard, widgeon, or teal, which are, 

 in my opinion, the only British ducks worth killing 

 for the larder. 



On leaving the birch woods the country became 

 wild and dreary, and frequently we had no small 

 difficulty in making our way along the trackless 

 snow. The otters had turned off here and there 

 from the river, and we saw no more of their foot- 

 steps. A wild cat had been hunting at one part of 

 the banks, but had crossed where some stones raised 

 above the water had enabled her to do so tolerably 

 dry footed. Although not so unwilling to get wet 

 as the domestic cat, this animal appears to avoid the 

 water as much as possible ; though I have known 

 instances of their swimming rivers. 



" We must try to get a brace of grouse or some- 

 thing to take up to the shepherd's," said my com- 

 panion, " as you're no that fond of braxy. Sir, and I 



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