CIIIFFCILU'F. 
•> 
♦ > 
t.ig would Fave been good-bye to n.y cbanee ot obtaining a view ot tbe bvood), I eangbt 
of a single bh-d, apparently belonging to this speeies, swimming some ^ 
Considering it most probable, from wb at I bad already learned concerning tbeii ba ^ 
tbe male, if present, would be keeping bis own company at some distance from the ani y, c 
conclusion that this might possibly be tbe bird of wbieli I was in want. Ueturning at once to 
an air-gnn, wbicb I bad brought in order to obtain any specimens of small birds, was rapic y pu in o ^ 
oiVer. The barrel having travelled among tbe rods and the stock in the luneb-liamper the weapon bad 
escaped tbe notice of Duncan, who was evidently somewhat surprised at its appearance. ^ 
increased when tbe movement of a spring disclosed an aperture on tbe top of the barrel 
ivas droiiped. As I fully expected to be able to crawl within about thirty yards of tbe fowl a bullet fiom 
tbe rilled barrel of this weapon would be quite as elfeetive for procuring a single bird, as tbe cliarge o 
an ordinary gun, without disturbing tbe neigbbourbood, wliieb I was anxious to avoid. An antiquated 
lli-blander, who was plodding along tbe road with a home-made rod on bis shoulder, had been detaine ly 
my"watcbful companion by an inviting wave of tbe bottle, as be imagined tbe old body might alarm the 
l)irds bv showing himself at tbe next turn of the road. Enjoining tbe strictest silence, I started again for the 
loch, and bad reached within some twenty yards of tbe shore, when a Warbler, whieb passed within a few 
feet of my bead, settled among tbe foliage of a birch. I was unable to detect any note ; but the view 
obtained almost satisfied me tbe bird was a Cliiifeliaif ; its constant movements, however, among tbe drooping 
leaves of tbe birch rendered a shot with a single bullet almost hopeless. Unfortunately my weapon was on y 
breech-loading for ball, and the shot and ramrod had been left where we had lunched. In a few moments 
the bird had worked its way across the burn ; and as it would have been necessary to return some hundreds 
of vards if I wished to cross dry-footed, I determined to proceed first in quest of the Goosander fami y, 
antLipating little or no difficulty in again finding the Warbler when provided with small shot. On reaching 
the extremity of the cover, and carefully scanning the surface of the loch, I could detect no signs of t le 
sin-le fowl An old female Goosander was paddling slowly to windward with a brood of six or eight, the 
youm^ ones following close in her wake. While watching the retreating brood through the glasses, a few 
heavv drops of rain gave warning that the hills to the south were obscured by mist and^ heavy squalls 
approaching. Eapidly retracing my steps, I soon reached tbe spot where Duncan was awaiting my re urn 
Thou-h the delay that occurred was short, a drifting rain was upon us before I had obtained the shot an 
implements required. As it seemed useless to start in search of so small a bird during the continuance 
of such unfavourable weather, I determined to collect our impedimenta and start at once for tbe bothy 
where we were to pass the night. 1 was in hopes we should still find the Warblers either where my informant 
first had heard them, or on our return in the plantation in which I had just lost sight ot the doubtM 
bird. After collecting and packing our scattered property, which was somewhat mixed and confused (rods, 
-uns, and creels having all been got ready for use), we were soon off for the next stage. On leaving the 
loch-side our course lay through a wooded glen ; and as large stones and rocks encumbered the track and 
rendered locomotion decidedly rough, we were forced to proceed on foot for at least a couple of miles. The 
country became at last more open ; and a high brae clear of timber was shortly reached. Eroiii this point barren 
and treeless moors stretched in every direction, though belts of dark and gloomy pines were in sight at some 
elevation on the hill-sides. We were now travelling due north, and consequently avoided the unpleasant 
effects of the squalls of drifting southerly rain. There was, unfortunately, every appearance of a dirty night : 
a dense mist was sweeping along well down the mountain-slopes ; and the tops and higher ranges were all 
invisible. At length, during a break in the showers, when the clouds had rolled somewhat further up the 
hills, I noticed the country appeared to wear a familiar look, and soon discovered we were entering a glen 
I was well acquainted ivith. The road was now more even; and mounting the trap, we spun along downhill 
