294 
FOREST AND STREAM 
ogy nearly Ally years ago. Of his many notes of interest 
written while in Edinburgh, he refers to the lower class of 
women (“ flsh-wives") us resembling the squaws of the West : 
“Their rolling guit. in-turned toes, and manner of carrying 
burdens on their backs, is exactly that of the Shawnee women. 
Their complexions are either fair, purple, or brown as a 
m Although there is much poverty in Scotland, the school 
system, combining, as it does, charily with instruction, ren- 
ders the people very generally educated. It is a curious fact 
that the amount of compensation received by school teachers 
for their services depends somewhat upon the price of oat- 
meal. The motto, “ Tcnui Muaam meditamur arena," pro- 
post d for the Edinburgh Review, was translated by Sidney 
Smith— “ We cultivate literature on a little oatmeal.” Ex- 
cepting London, Edinburgh with its literary ami historical 
associations, its many points of interest in and about the city, 
and picturesque location, is the most interesting city in 
Great Britain But as there were friends awaiting at Inver- 
ness, we bid farewell to “ Dun-cdine" and started on our tor- 
tuous route toward the north. 
“ Ask where’s the norib ? At York ’tie on the Tweed ; 
In Scotland ai the OrcudeK ; end there, 
St Greenland, Zeinbla, or the Lord knows where ! 
We make a loug pause at Stirling, which is an interesting 
city on the l iver Forth, a salmon stream. The old castle 
here, supposed to have been built by the Romans, is a con- 
spicuous object on i he rocky height; and near the city is a 
monument erected to the memory of William Wallace, that 
may be seen from the railway. A halt at Perth gives odp time 
to get a drink of Tut/ if he wishes it, the river being close 
alongside. Leaving Perthshire and the Lowlands we cross 
the Grampian Ilills into the Highlands, where there is mucli 
desolute country, but the scenery is interesting from its nov- 
elty. Along the route were *een many pewjt, or lapwing 
plovers, and pigeons in the grain fields, and among the hills 
grouse were frequently flushed by the train. One old black 
cock rose from almost under the train and flew straight and 
Bwiftly away a half mile ere alighting. At Inverness I join 
my friends, and we enjoy some pleasant drives about the sur- 
rounding country ere proceeding farther toward our final des- 
tination. Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, is on the 
river Ness, a fine salmon stream, upon a portion of which the 
fishing is free at stated times. 1 saw severul gentlemen 
whipping the stream for the river gods, as I may call them, 
since they have so many devotees. On a level plain near In- 
verness is a singular high oval mound,' from which a fine 
view of the surrounding country may be bad. The regular 
symmetrical form of this mound gives it the appearance of an 
artificial formation. There is u pretty little cemetery on the 
summit, and a few centuries hence this mound may be tbe 
subject of as much speculation as the mounds of Florida or 
the Western plains. From Inverness there is water communi- 
cation from the North Sea to the Atlantic Ocean by the Cale- 
donian Canal and the lakes which it connects. This is a fav- 
orite route for tourists who go so fur north. The largest of 
this chain of lakes is Lake Ness, over twenty miles in length, 
and of great depth. 
Leaving fair Ness Bank we go on through Ross-shire, in the 
midst of which we come upon a hunting lodge, beautifully 
situated on a gentle slope near a small lake; and in one of 
the yards of the well-ai ranged kennel a fine Scotch deer- 
hound was busking in the sun. I was much amused at the 
appellation “ deer forests," used to designate a tract of coun- 
try abounding with deer, but upon which perhaps not a tree 
is to be seen. There is now no such wonderful abundance of 
deer as in the days of Percy, Earl of Northumberland, when 
•• The gallant grevbouniis swiftly ian 
To chase the fallow deer. 
On Monday thov hegan 10 hunt 
When daylight did appear, 
And long before high noon they had 
An hundred fat bucks rlain ; 
Then having dined, the drovers went 
To rouse them up again.” 
And in the present day there would be less likelihood of a 
deer hunt terminating, as on the occasion described, in a 
slaughter of the huntsmen. We eventually arrive at Strome 
Fi rry, which is at the western terminus of the Highland R. R.. 
and here we embark on a small steamer, finding us a fellow pas- 
senger a live doe, intended for my future host as an addition 
to his deplete d stock. On board the boat we are enlivened by 
the national music of “the pipes.” which wire alternately 
played by severul persons, and being courteously tendered 
from one to another, the instrument seemed to serve as a 
“pipe of peace.” 
Steaming down the picturesque Loch Carron, inclosed 
by tbe bold, bleak hills of Ross-sbire, upon many of which 
even the heather refuses to grow, we soon have a more ex- 
tended view over a wide expanse of blue water, and are joined 
by some gulls which follow us for miles in numbers constantly 
inert using, they being so bold as to fly over the vessel but a 
few' yards above the deck. As the law prohibits the discharge 
of firearms from a vessel. I was unable to gratify my desire of 
obtuiDing Borne specimens, although I could have easily shot 
many that would have fallen upon the deck. 
Reaching the Isle of Skye, we follow along its northerly 
shore, admiring the wild beauty of its hills, purple with 
heather in blossom, nnd the fine effects of light and shade. 
Soon we reach the Isle of Raasay, 
“ A bappy Islam! in a sea of green, 
Smiling, it ilea beneath ihc azure heaven, 
Well pleased, and conscious i hat each wave and wind 
Is tempi red kindly, or with blessings rich," 
Approaching its southern point, we were greeted by a 6cene 
that was indeed “perfectly charming,” as the ladies ex- 
claimed. it-' effect being heightened by the contrast with the 
wild scenery upon which we had been so long gazing. The 
steamer moved slowly into a deep cove, at the head of which 
was a miniature fortification, with mounted guns and a flag- 
staff with waving ensign to herald our arrival From the 
shore there was a gradual ascent of well-kept lawn to the light 
colored mansion, with its background of dark green firs, be- 
yond which rose the heather-covered hills. The whole scene, 
lighted bv the rays of tbe setting sun, was very beautiful. A 
gem of civilization in a rough setting of bold hills and rocks. 
A small boat now shoots out from the pier to take us ashore, 
and we leave the steamer to proceed on her voyage to 
Portree. 
As the sun drops below our limited horizon, we stroll up 
across tbe lawn, frightening rabbits and pheasants to their re- 
treats. Pausing a moment to look back at the dark hills of 
Skye, and the intervening water that now appears black and 
cold, we turn to the cordial greetings that await us. After 
dining, and a pleasant evening of conversation and music, I 
retire to dream of coming pleasures, not the least of which 
would be the shooting. And in the land of Nod 1 found le- 
gions of game, of many unknown varieties. The following 
day, bright and beautiful, was spent in making a tour of the 
island. Along the two avenues that led from the grounds 
were hedges of fuchsia upward of eight feet in height, laden 
with the beautiful purple blossoms so rich in color and grace- 
ful in form. These hedges surpassed in beauty any that i 
had ever seen in nature or imagination, and one might truly 
remark they would be worth many tnousauds of pounds in 
London could they bo made to floniish there. The soil and 
climate of Raasay must be extremely favorable to this shrub 
to produce such an exuberant and extraordinary growth. 
These were not pot-plants, but remained where growing, in the 
native soil, throughout the entire year. The ground is bare 
during the winter, such snow as falls rarely remaining more 
than iwentv-four hours, although the neighboring lulls of 
Skye are frequently white with snow for a loug time. Raasay 
is about thirteen miles long by two or three miles in width, 
its highest summit beiDg several hundred feet above the sea 
Near the northern extremity are the remains of a ruined cas- 
tle, hut 1 learned little of its history, there seeming to be a 
lack of the usual legends concerning so many similar sites in 
Scotland. Had I been able to converse in tbe Gaelic lau- 
mioirp T ndirhi lmve received much information of the legend- 
ary sort. 
We halted near the centre of the island, at a spot where 
the road crossed a small stream, which tumbled down through 
a gorge until it reached a little beach, where it emptied into 
the sea. There was a path the entire length of the gorge, 
nnd midway between tbe road and the sea a clearing had been 
made for the site of a shootiDg-box. This spot was a favo- 
rite resort of the woodcock and black game, while close by 
there was a little loch abounding with trout. At the mouth 
of this stream sea trout were to be cauelit in the season, and 
it was a flno spot for bathing. Returning homeward by an- 
other route, we drove through the more cultivated portion of 
the island, and I had an opportunity to form a conception of 
the extraordinary numbers of rabbits on the island. Round- 
ing a turn of the road, just at the time of day that “ light 
thickens, and the crow makes wing to the rocky wood,” we 
came to a field of a few acres in extent, bounded on the side 
opposite the road by woods 
1 his field was fairly alive with rabbits of various colors, 
light brmvn being the prevailing hue, but many were brown 
and white, some gray, and a few entirely black. As the first 
souud of the wheels reached their ears nearly all of them sat 
erect on their haunches, and the next moment scampered in 
a swarm to the woods, whence, however, in a few min- 
utes after our departure, they would return to continue their 
evening repast. As curried rabbit and pot-pie were favorite 
dishes at the table, on several occasions I took an hour’s stroll 
for rabbits, accompanied by the keeper, with his large game- 
bag, one of the small housedogs for a siarter, and a retriever 
from the kennels A favorite place for shooting rabbits was on 
a straight bit of road that ran through a growth of small 
birches. It was here that I shot my first rabbit. Reaching 
our ground, the starter was sent into the cover, the retriever 
being kept at heel. 
“Look sharp now, sir!” cries the keeper, as the dog in 
cover gives voice ; and immediately a rabbit leaps out from 
ODe side of the road to be stopped dead on the other side. 
“Fetch!" and the retriever bounds forward and brings in 
the game, to be bugged by the keeper who remarks, “ A 
youug one, but well grown. We do not kill the young ones, 
sir!" the road was barely wide enough for two carriages to 
pass each other, and as the rabbits were fleeing from the don 
at tbe height of their speed, it reauired a quick shot to knock 
them over. I was well enough prtased at my first shot being 
a clean one, until the keeper's remark showed me the mistake 
I had made. But this was my first rabbit, and it was owing 
to my inexperience that I failed to distinguish while on the 
jump a three-quarters grown one from an adult. However, 
I did not again make 6uch a blunder, and soon the keeper had 
a backload of rabbits. At tbe first sound of the gun a dozen 
rabbits appeared in the road at different distances, out of 
range, looking about with curiosity and astonishment, but 
after a few shots they became so shy from fright that none 
were seen except those driven out by the dog. During my 
hour's stroll, 1 saw no less than two hundred rabbits, and by 
spending the same time at sunset in visiting their favorite 
feeding places in the fields and openings in the woods, I 
could see very many more. 1 had on many occasions shot 
hares, and we occasionally saw them here ; but this was my 
firat experience at rabbit-shootiug, which, from its novelty, 
afforded good sport for the nonce, yet I should never sacra- 
flee to this purpose auy time from other field sports. 
Besides the rabbits, which should be placed last on the list, 
the game of Raasay consists of black grouse, designated ac- 
cording to 6ex as black-cocks and gray-hens ; the more 
abundant red grouse, called moor-cocks and moor-hens ; 
pheasants, which are polygamus, and only the cock birds are 
shot ; snipe, woodcock (in winter), hares and deer, the latter 
being preserved for propagation. In addition to the game 
there were many birds of ornithological interest to me 
There were two varieties of pigeons, the field pigeons and 
the rock pigeon “blue rocks," curlews ami other shoie birds, 
guillemots, the scarih or Cormorant, and other seafowl. It is 
suid thil the capercailzie, 1'elrao urogallus, bad been known 
on the island. Before going into the field with the dogs let 
u-i make a visit to the kennel. And here let me mention the 
fact that in Great Britain sporting dogs are generally exceed- 
ingly well cared for, no matter in whose possession or care 
they may be. I remember once alighting from atrain, the bet- 
ter to admire a fine brace of setters and the excellent accom- 
modation for their comfort and safety while traveling by rail. 
There was a compartment under the luggage-van wherein the 
dogs were locked, sale from the danger of being smothered, 
crushed by luggage, abused by a brutal railway employee, or 
of being stolen. And they were made comfortable by an a- 
bundHnce of clean straw and a supply of water. To sports- 
men in America who travel long distances with their dogs, 
the lack of accommodation and the exorbitant charges for tbe 
transportation of their pets, are sources of much vexation. 
With the increasing frequency of trips to the West by Eastern 
sportsmen, and the growing interest in bench shows, there 
will come, no doubt, better facilities for traveling with dogs. 
At least this must be the case ou such railroad lines as have 
competition— gentlemen would prefer to patronize the 
railroad company whose rates and accommodations for their 
dogs best pleased them. 
In a grove of trees beyond the stables we find the kennels 
where the useful dogs are kept. The pamperfed house pets 
are allowed to frequent the hall of iln-ir master’s mansion. 
Among the trees near the kennelsan odd assortment of vermin 
was hanging 'lhe extermination of vermin, as all predaceous 
birds and animals are here termed, forms an important part 
of the gamekeeper’s duties ; and there were to be seen the re- 
mains of owls, hawks, ravens, hooded crows, weasels, etc., 
that the keeper had killed and hung in a conspicuous place to 
meet the eye of his master, to show that his duties were not 
neglected. On looking at the dogs I did not find a pointer 
among them. The subject of the comparative merits of point- 
ers and setters is much discussed among sportsmen, but to 
my mind there is no question as to setters being the better 
adapted to a northern climate, and particularly for work on 
the moors. 
In America I should prefer the setter for shooting in Canada, 
New England or any of the Northern States. But in the 
West or South my preference would depend upon the locality. 
For shooting partridges from horseback in the cottonfields, the 
pointer is preferable. As a rule, in a hot climate with a 
scarcity of water the setter would succumb sooner than the 
pointer. For shooting pinnated grouse or “ chickens," many 
prefer the pointer, especially early in the season. But those 
who reside in the Western States and shoot grouse in August, 
usually require the same dogs not only for grouRe, but later 
in the autumn for snipe, and the incidental duties of retriev- 
ing waterfowl, as also again in the cold wet spring when the 
best snipe shooting is usually obtained. A high-spirited pointer 
will do all this, but not being so well adapted by nature as is 
the setter to cold wet work, will suffer more, and thus materi- 
ally detract from the pleasure of a humane master who re- 
gards his dog not alone as a slave to do his bidding, but as a 
companion and friend. As we are to make an early start for 
the moors to-morrow, we examine the feel of the dogs that 
are to be shot over, and give them a little run. Visiting the 
gun room we find everything in order and plenty of ammuni- 
tion prepared, and on retiring are filled with anticipations of 
the morrow’s sport. A clear sky the next morning hetokens 
a fine day, and donning knickerbockers we are soon off for the 
hills accompanied by the keeper with the setters, Bob and 
Ranger, whose departure from the kennel was the signal for 
a chorus of howls from the dogs compelled to remain behind. 
Alas for the fickleness of Scotch weather. We were well 
dampened by rain within an hour and the morning proved 
cloudy and wet. Occasionally the clouds would break away 
aud give us a few moments of sunshine to be followed by 
rain or fog, but when the shooting commenced we forgot 
about the weather. 
As we reached the vicinity of our initial point, and were 
crossing a low wet spot to ascend the hills, the young dog 
Ranger suddenly stopped to game, which he “ set crouch- 
ing low with the body barely clear of the ground. Bob came 
in and backed, but, instead of standing, imitated Ranger and 
crouched in like manner. The keeper walked up a brood of 
young pheasants from under the dogs’ noses, but we allowed 
tbe birds to gooff unharmed, it still being close season for pheas- 
ants (Aug. 30). The dogs still remained, but thinking it to be 
the fresh scent that kept them, they were called to heel. The 
call was in vain, however, for they refused to stir, and as the 
keeper beat the ground before them a snipe was flushed 
and brought to bag. The dogs were then made to quarter 
the ground systematically, ranging wide and going at a galop. 
Beautifully they worked ; now beating out, at the signal they 
turn in and pass each other, to be again turned when two 
hundred yards apart, and beating in are again turned by a signal 
when at full speed within a few feet of each other. 
Thus we go on, and, not soon finding game, allow the dogs 
to range wider to cover more ground. As we follow up one 
side of a ravine the dog Bob is sent across to beat the other 
side. Soon he stands game, and we rush down into the ravine, 
through a clump of bushes and briars, and up the other side, 
where we arrive in season to see Bob, a hundred yards away, 
draw on and flush a cock pheasant. Out comes the whip and 
master Bob receives his merited punishment, the keeper re- 
marking that this is Bob’s only fault, and a bad one. Bob 
had a fine nose and would not run up birds, but if allowed to 
stand for aoy length of lime would get impatient, draw on 
and flush the game. “ I whip him from habit, but know that 
he’ll do it again,” remarked his breaker. 
Remaining on that side of the ravine we push on again up 
the hill, and soon Bob again finds game. Through lack of 
confidence in Ranger, he had been called to heel on the pre- 
vious occasion, but now he comes over the crest of the hill 
and backs Bob iu fine style. Both drop to wing and remain 
motionless while the birds are retrieved, three of the five being 
bagged. These are the first grouse we have yet found, but 
now the ball is opened and tbe sport is continuous. There is 
no wind, and the air is so laden with moisture that often the 
smoke remaining before the gun prevents the use of the 
second barrel. Later on, when high up on the hills, a breeze 
comes out of the West, there is no more fog, aud we have 
fine sport. This was Ranger’s first season with the guu, but 
he behaved so well as to give no occasion for correction during 
the whole day. This was a pleasant surprise to his breaker, 
who said that RaDger acted so badly when in the 
field a few day9 previous, that, although the dog was 
thoroughly yard broken, he feared it would never 
be good for much in the field. I remarked that I would 
choose Ranger in preference to old Bob. “And so would I to- 
day," he replied. Once when Ranger was on a point Bob 
crossed immediately before his nose, then turned and backed 
him. Upon taking the scent Bob began to draw on the 
birds, and, passing within six feet of Ranger, left him staunch 
and immovable as a statue a dozen yards in the rear, ere set- 
tling down to a point himself. I was warm in my praise of 
the young dog Ranger behaving so well under such trying cir- 
cumstances. The birds were well in advance of Bob, scatter- 
ing as they all rose together, but we were prepared for them 
and each got in both barrels. 
“ Well done, gentlemen !” cried the keeper, as he stepped 
forward and picked up two birds on the right, nnd one on the 
left. “ Look further to the left for another I” I cried to him. 
Turning as I directed he found the fourth dead bird, which he 
had not seen fall on account of the smoke, and the reports of 
our guns having been simultaneous he did not know how 
mauy shots were fired. We shot very well throughout the 
day, with one exception. I think it was just after the double 
shot just referred to, that we walked up a single bird which 
rose from nearly under our feet and flew straight away We 
blazed away at it with four barrels, but apparently all four of 
the shots were clean misses Bob showed his weakness once 
more during the day. We were proceeding along a ridge, 
when Ranger found gome on one side half way down to the 
bottom of the ravine on our left, and down we went for a 
shot. I was on the left, and when the birds rose, one flew on 
my side and I stopped him. Two of the birds wheeled around 
behind us, and coming back on the left I dropped them both 
with my second barrel, and they reached the ground at the 
bottom of the ravine. RaDger was still lying where he had 
dropped at the first shot, but Bob bad not put in an appear- 
ance. Telling the keeper to look sharp for the last two birds, 
which I feared were not dead, I ran back to the top of the 
ridge to look for Bob There lie was, standing game on tbe 
other side of the ridge. But he had stood his time, aud I ar 
rived in sight juBt in time to see bun draw cautiously upon the 
birds and flush them. 
Once the dogs pointed while at the top of a slope so steep 
as to be almost a precipice. No birds could be found, and 
