246 
SCOLOPACID^. 
wliich we have not in Ireland, great numbers of black-game being 
seen, the old males of which noble species frequently rose “ on jetty 
wing” before us ; and though it was legally, too late in the season to 
shoot them, they were not therefore the less admired. The graceful 
roe-deer, unknown in the more western island, often sallied from the 
covers in little troops, but were allowed to pass unharmed, as were the 
fallow-deer also, which are common in some places. Pheasants, snipes, 
hares and rabbits were daily added to the bag, with frequently wood 
and rock-pigeons and golden plover. 
Most extensive ranges of the finest covers, being all wholly wild 
(around the shooting-lodge only, or in the demesne have trees been 
artificially planted), were greatly the more attractive on that account ; 
and many of them, occupying the sides of mountains and other elevated 
grounds, afforded from their borders, or the paths made through 
them for the purpose of shooting, extensive and magnificent prospects 
over land and sea. The island itself exhibited great variety of sur- 
face. The lower ranges of mountains are ruggedly picturesque ; 
the higher are of an opposite configuration, and with their grey, sterile 
summits have a simply majestic aspect. Little tarns here and there 
shone forth in their hollows ; and abundance of natural wood clothing 
the ground at various altitudes, imparted a finished appearance to the 
whole. The iron-bound coast of the island displayed at all times, 
around its innumerable grim, jagged promontories, the dashing, snow- 
white foam, while far within them, quiet little bays stole up as it were 
into the land, from the storms of ocean, to enjoy the calm and placid 
beauty in which they reposed. The islets lying oflP the coast of Islay 
were of various scenic character, some bold and rocky, others level and 
green as the most verdant lawn. The lofty Paps of Jura — grand 
objects, owing to their fine conical form, whencesoever they are viewed 
— rose comparatively near, while the eye swept the whole range of 
ocean along the western coast and far to the north and south of 
Cantire and its tributary islets, over which, in the distance, towered 
the undulating mountain-profile of Arran, the additional purity of whose 
aspect under snow denoted its superior elevation to all other heights 
within view. A elear atmosphere rendered Pathlin and the northern 
mountains of Ireland (Knocklaid, &c.) distinctly visible. 
