CH. II. OSPREy's nest — WATER-OUSEL. 21 



We started from Inchnadamph inn in good time 

 in the morning, intending to reach Seowrie, about 

 twenty-one miles distant ; but the road being very 

 hilly, and a ferry intervening, we had to reckon on 

 many hours of travelling before we reached our 

 night's quarters. I walked on to look at the osprey's 

 nest on the old castle, and an interesting sight it is, 

 though I lamented the absence of the birds. Why 

 the poor osprey should be persecuted I know not, 

 as it is quite harmless, living wholly on fish, of 

 which every one knows that there is too great an 

 abundance in this country for the most rigid pre- 

 server to grudge this picturesque bird his share. 

 The fact probably is that his skin is worth something 

 to keepers and others, as they can always get a 

 few shillings for it, and therefore the bird is doomed 

 to destruction. The " auri sacra fames " will soon 

 put an end to his race in this country. 



In the midst of a steep and tolerably high water- 

 fall, perched on a small piece of projecting rock, 

 and surrounded by the dashing water, I saw one 

 of my favourite birds, the water-ousel, his white 

 breast conspicuous even amongst the white foam. 

 A twisted birch, and a bunch of bright green fern 

 growing out of the rock, constantly watered by the 

 spray of the fall, made as pretty a little scene for a 

 painter as I ever saw. Water-ousels seem to prefer 



