Holiday at Wild Fowling 147 



Long grass has flourished on the mound, and thus afforded 

 me cover, as I thought, sufficient for the object in view, 

 viz., to negotiate the wary sea-fowl. I had not long to 

 wait till a redshank came along — a nice shot — and to 

 test my early morning prowess I doubled it up with a 

 left of No. 6 shot. 



Following in its wake to the south, and a mile or so 

 benind, had been a quintette of curlews. These came 

 along full wily. I imitated their call, and they sailed 

 towards me to a nicety. I called more vigorously, but 

 somehow they detected my imperfect cover, and seemed 

 to veer seawards. However, ' ' nothing venture nothing 

 have," I let go the redoubtable left barrel, and was 

 myself surprised to see that I had secured the rear bird, 

 which fell in the tide-way, which I knew I could secure, 

 when the tide had more flood. Another bird or two of 

 the wembrel passed inshore, though beyond range of a 

 shot. 



As my position was becoming untenable by the inrush 

 of the tide, and not knowing to what extent the rise 

 would take, I took the precaution to retreat to the bank. 

 Just then the notes of the golden plover were heard, and 

 the bird then seemed to circle over head a half a dozen 

 times, and as I was about to fire, it took a direct course 

 and made away. Next a " shank" broke the silence; 

 and a few large gulls loomed in sight. Then twisted along 

 a turnstone, which, with a few calls, came foolishly my 

 way, and was easily despatched. I then repaired to the 

 back of the sea-wall, knowing that from the south the 

 curlews habitually wing north in the mornings, when the 

 tides run at about eight o'clock, and pass a point of the 

 bank about half a mile north of the village. I had not 

 long to wait till a small lot hove in sight. Incessant 

 calling drew them nearer, but only one came within 

 range, and paid the full penalty for doing so, and then a 

 foolish young wembrel rushed to meet a mimicry of its 

 notes, and also fell an easy victim. At this point sport 

 seemed brisk. It was soon over however. More curlew 

 passed, but well out of range. A goodly company of 

 widgeon then sailed along, but of course, in such open 



