52 
TETEAONIDtE. 
sliooting became so general — literally pitched his tent for a season. 
The pursuit brings him into scenes that he would never otherwise 
behold^ and which^ with salutary effect become indelibly impressed 
upon his memory. The ever-varying landscape of a fine sporting 
moor, which generally possesses the grandest and most picturesque 
elements combined, is one of the greatest charms of grouse- 
shooting. To give some little idea (though a very faint one) of 
this, a few brief extracts from a journal kept by the author at 
Aberarder, Inverness-shire, during September 1843, may be in- 
troduced. The main features only are selected, but these will 
suggest the charming accompaniments, both of animate and 
inanimate nature, that are usually found in connexion with 
them. 
Sejpt, 6. — We rode six miles out to Crooked Glen to shoot. 
The ride, through wooded, wild, and rocky mountain glens, with 
their rushing torrents, was extremely fine. The mountain sides 
beautifully displayed the light-foliaged and graceful birch, dis- 
posed in extensive masses, in little groups, or in single trees ; 
with the occasional variety — in the drier and more stony places — 
of the rowan and the rock-willow {Salix caprea), and in the 
lower and moister parts, with the alder. Extensive plantations 
of pine (artificial however), reaching to the mountain tops, added 
much to the wmoded prospect in some directions ; the dark green 
hue of this tree harmonizing admirably with the deep purple of 
the heather, and the dull grey of the granitic rocks. I was much 
struck, (as I have often before been in such localities,) with the 
circumstance, that all indigenous trees were old, and that there 
was not a young one springing up to supply their place. Before 
two generations of men shall have passed away, there will be 
hardly a tree of spontaneous growth left in parts of Scotland now 
admirably and picturesquely wooded. Such is the effect of every 
available spot being appropriated to sheep or oxen. To my 
remark, What a fine locality for roe-deer,^'’ the reply was, 
Yes, they were abundant there ; but cattle have taken their 
place — this, too, on a steep mountain-side. Black-game had 
also been numerous in the same district, but they have been 
