210 



IV/LD SPORTS OF THE HIGHLANDS chap, xkii 



the bed of the river, there were regularly hard beaten paths by 

 which they passed in going from one pool to the other. The 

 water-ouzel, too, enlivened the scene by its curious rapid flight 

 and shrill cry, as it flew from one shallow to another, or passed 

 back over my head to return to its favourite resting-stone from 

 which I had disturbed it. 



The kestrel seems to abound in the rocks through which 

 the river runs, as I saw this bird very frequently either sitting 

 on some projecting angle of stone or hovering high above me. 



The country here appears as good for grouse as the hills 

 near the sources would be for red-deer, were they free from 

 sheep. I do not know a district in Scotland that would make 

 a better deer-forest than that immediately round and to the 

 westward of Coignafern, where the Monaghliahd mountains 

 afford every variety of ground suited to these animals, with 

 most excellent feeding for them along the burns and straths 

 which intersect the high grounds in every direction, and the 

 most perfect solitude. It is almost a pity that the Mac Intosh 

 does not turn this district into a forest. 



VALLEY OF THE PINDHORN 



