384 ANATIDiE. 
was a huge nest of the sea-eagle, fixed so near the ground, 
that a child could see into it; one nest some years old, 
the other repaired that season. Hooded crows built in 
the branches over the newer nest; and, in spite of the 
frequent visits of the eagles, a wild duck had its nest 
not many yards off, and geese bred there regularly. The 
other islet had been burnt several years before to dis¬ 
lodge a fox, and now its bright young heather again 
formed an excellent cover. A pair of black-throated 
divers crying on the surface of the loch, two wild geese 
flying round, and an old eagle with its broad white tail 
slowly wafting its way between me and the neighbour¬ 
ing mountain, whilst the great nest was conspicuous 
from every side, made it altogether as delicious a scene 
as I could hope often to enjoy. I had not walked many 
paces when a Grey Goose fluttered from between my feet 
into the water, not looking at all a large bird, and not 
getting up with any great commotion. There were at 
present only two eggs in a nest made of old withered 
grass, like others which I afterwards saw/' 
