246 SCOLOPACIDJS. 



which we have not in Ireland, great numbers of black-game being- 

 seen, the old males of which noble species frequently rose " on jetty 

 wing" before us ; and though it was legally, too late in the season to 

 shoot them, they were not therefore the less admired. The graceful 

 roe-deer, unknown in the more western island, often sallied from the 

 covers in little troops, but were allowed to pass unharmed, as were the 

 fallow-deer also, which are common in some places. Pheasants, snipes, 

 hares and rabbits were daily added to the bag, with frequently wood 

 and rock-pigeons and golden plover. 



Most extensive ranges of the finest covers, being all wholly wild 

 (around the shooting-lodge only, or in the demesne have trees been 

 artificially planted), were greatly the more attractive on that account ; 

 and many of them, occupying the sides of mountains and other elevated 

 grounds, afforded from their borders, or the paths made through 

 them for the purpose of shooting, extensive and magnificent prospects 

 over land and sea. The island itself exhibited great variety of sur- 

 face. The lower ranges of mountains are ruggedly picturesque ; 

 the higher are of an opposite configuration, and with their grey, sterile 

 summits have a simply majestic aspect. Little tarns here and there 

 shone forth in their hollows ; and abundance of natural wood clothing 

 the ground at various altitudes, imparted a finished appearance to the 

 whole. The iron-bound coast of the island displayed at all times, 

 around its innumerable grim, jagged promontories, the dashing, snow- 

 white foam, while far within them, quiet little bays stole up as it were 

 into the land, from the storms of ocean, to enjoy the calm and placid 

 beauty in which they reposed. The islets lying off the coast of Islay 

 were of various scenic character, some bold and rocky, others level and 

 green as the most verdant lawn. The lofty Paps of Jura — grand 

 objects, owing to their fine conical form, whencesoever they are viewed 

 — rose comparatively near, while the eye swept the whole range of 

 ocean along the western coast and far to the north and south of 

 Cantire and its tributary islets, over which, in the distance, towered 

 the undulating mountain-profile of Arran, the additional purity of whose 

 aspect under snow denoted its superior elevation to all other heights 

 within view. A clear atmosphere rendered Eathlin and the northern 

 mountains of Ireland (Knocklaid, &c.) distinctly visible. 



