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many of them rare Polar visitors; the salmon streams of the Awe and Urchay are within easy distance, and the mighty Ferox roams our shores for miles.

Having some sympathy with the classic chronicler of Selborne, who, lamenting the scarcity of quadrupeds in our island, remarks that "every new species is a great acquisition," I have determined to keep my hands clear of the extermination of any. The marten, the wild-cat, the kite, and the eagle, are not banished from the shaggy woods and rough braes of Sonachan and Barbea-they are scarcely grudged a share of the spoil; and though this whimsical forbearance may subject me to the charge of having sunk the sportsman in the "amateur naturalist," it is an accusation to which I can very cheerfully plead "Guilty."

April 1851.

CONTENTS

No sport more dependent on weather.-Difficulty of knowing the
points where the wind strikes fair.--- Novices generally miss from
nervousness. No man with good nerves need despair of being a
tolerable rifle-shot.-American backwoodsmen and their ill-poised
rifles.-The old Highland deer-stalker.-The left-shouldered
man.-Very deliberate shooting necessary for deer.-Best stalk-
ing weather.-Bright sun.-High wind.-Mist.-South and west
wind. High and low passes.-Ox deer.-Best time for a quiet
shot. Stalking between deer.-Down hill.-Quick sight of
foresters.-Best chances at old harts.-Driving on a large scale.
-On a small scale.-Risk of the herd seeing the least motion.

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GROUSE AND BLACK-GAME SHOOTING

General rules for August and September.—The steep side of a hill.—
A detached range.-Evening feed.-Preserved ground.-Squeakers.
-An attractive coup d'œil not to be trusted.-Never to choose a
range without a word from shepherds or hillmen.-The effect of
food on the colour of birds.-The top or brow of a hill.-The
steep peak.-Windy weather.-Sultry days. To advance on
grouse, if possible, from lower ground.—Best time of day to com-
mence. Advice to a man unaccustomed to climb hills.-When
birds become strong on the wing. As the season advances a

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