28 WILD SPCrRTS OF THE HIGHLANDS chap. 



If the parent bird had selected her nesting-place for beauty oi 

 prospect, she could not have pitched upon a lovelier spot. The 

 nest was on a little mound where I always stop, when walking 

 in that direction, to admire the extensive and varied view — the 

 Bay of Findhorn and the sand-hills, the Moray Firth, with the 

 entrance to the Cromarty Bay, and the bold rocky headlands 

 backed by the mountains of Ross-shire. Sutherland, Caithness, 

 Inverness, and Ross-shire are all seen from this spot ; whilst 

 the rich plains of Moray, dotted with timber, and intersected 

 by the winding stream of the Findhorn, with the woods of 

 Altyre, Darnaway, and Brodie, form a nearer picture. 



It is a curious fact, but one which I have often observed, 

 that dogs frequently pass close to the nest of grouse, partridge, 

 or other game, without scenting the hen bird as she sits on her 

 eggs. I knew this year of a partridge's^ nest which was placed 

 close to a narrow footpath near my house ; and although not 

 only my people, but all my dogs, were constantly passing 

 within a foot and a half of the bird, they never found her out, 

 and she hatched her brood in safety. 



Grouse generally make their nest in a high tuft of heather. 

 The eggs are peculiarly beautiful and game-like, of a rich brown 

 colour, spotted closely with black. Although in some peculiarly 

 early seasons, the young birds are full grown by the 12th ot 

 August, in general five birds out of six which are killed on that 

 day are only half come to their strength and beauty. The 

 20th of the month would be a much better day on which to 

 commence their legal persecution. In October there is not a 

 more beautiful bird in our island ; and in January a cock 

 grouse is one of the most superb fellows in the world, as he 

 struts about fearlessly with his mate, his bright red comb 

 erected above his eyes, and his rich dark-brown plumage 

 shining in the sun. Unluckily, they are more easily killed at 

 this time of the year than at any other ; and I have been 

 assured that a ready market is found for them not only in 



' ^ When she has stn|ill young ones, the partridge becomes very bold sometimes, and I 

 have seen one attack and strike a dog which was passing with me close to the wood. 

 The partridge conceals her nest and eggs, and even the entrance to it through the long 

 grass with the greatest care. It is, however, often placed close to a road or path, on which 

 occasion dogs, etc. , seem to pass close to the old bird while sitting, without finding her 

 scent. At the same time I have known an old partridge caught on her eggs by my 

 retriever and brought to me. I released the bird, and the next day she was again on her 

 eggs, which were all hatched in due time. — C. St. J, 



