206 CATALOGUE OF BIRDS. 



It was a small island, rising very abruptly from the 

 water, and with a lot of growth on the top — principally 

 brambles — a very awkward place to shoot from. 



Before continuing my description, I ought to have 

 said that as soon as the Divers — for they were both 

 near the island — saw us on our way in the boat 

 towards the reverse side of the island to where they 

 were, they sank themselves low in the water to 

 escape detection as much as possible ; and it was only 

 after the keeper and I had got into our position and 

 remained there some time that the birds, thinking 

 the "coast to be clear," showed themselves fairly 

 on the water. I then — my position being near 

 the summit of a sort of bank on which I had to 

 lay — began to look through a lot of bramble thorns, 

 and try to estimate the distance the Divers were 

 from me — and this is no easy matter when judging 

 across water. It rested with me, however, to deter- 

 mine the best opportunity likely to be afforded for a 

 fair shot. 



At last I thought they appeared to be within 

 range. I whispered to the keeper, asking for an 

 opinion. Receiving a nod of approval, I inserted 

 the barrels of my gun carefully and gently through 

 the thorns, and taking a very careful alignment on 

 one of the bird's heads — for it was no use shooting 

 them anywhere else — pulled the trigger, and the 

 Diver fell lifeless on the water, for No. 4 shot had 

 found its billet in a vital part. 



Now, had it not been that the keeper had with 

 him a barking, yelping spaniel at the time I should 



