DECEMBER SPORT IN THE HIGHLANDS. 309 



we make over an old blackcock about the size of a house, which 

 rises within very easy shot and gets away scot-free. 



And so in the fast waning light we turn toward home, well satis- 

 fied with our day's winter shooting, for have we not bagged no 

 fewer than ten different sorts ? Ar.d even now all is not absolutely 

 over, for as in deep shadow we are skirting a piece of woodland, a 

 shot from Jack's gun rings out sharp and clear on the still air, Fan 

 rushes forward and we discover a roe-buck with a very decent head 

 indeed lying stone-dead among the bracken. Though not a very 

 big one, our bag shows a mixture that it would be hard to beat else- 

 where in Scotland. Four woodcock, one blackcock, nine grouse, 

 two pheasants, three partridges, two ducks, nine snipe, one brown 

 and one white hare, ten rabbits, and last, but not least, a roe-buck. 

 Old Ross for once condescends to admit that we shot decently 

 well, but does not forget to modify his praise by some strong 

 expressions regarding that last blackcock we missed ! 



