348 BIRD-LIFE OF THE BORDERS 



a few shots at these birds, in order to determine their 

 species, but almost always in vain. On October nth, A. 

 lay in his punt almost within shot of some 600 ; it was 

 high tide, and the geese stood densely packed (no fowl sit 

 closer) almost in the wash of a heavy sea that was break- 

 ing along the outer shore. They were only separated from 

 the stanchion-gun by a sand-bar — 180 yards across — and 

 through which ran a deep, winding channel, intersecting 

 the obstacle exactly at the point where the geese sat most 

 thickly. This channel, with its shelving- banks, appeared 

 to afford an admirable means of access. But, alas ! down 

 that " gut " the tide rushed like a mill-race ; once in its deep 

 and surging- torrent all control of the punt would be lost ; 

 boat and men would have been swept to certain destruc- 

 tion, either in the labyrinth of quicksands that fringe each 

 shore, or else amidst the boiling breakers outside. A month 

 later (November 11th) I observed eleven grey-geese near 

 the same spot. The tides being good, we awaited the flood, 

 and set to them at "full sea" ; but just as the advancing 

 water, though a mere film, reached their toes, they took 

 wing : in my limited experience these birds have always 

 shown a decided antipathy to salt water — clearly they 

 foresee the danger that the rising tide imports. It being 

 then within half-an-hour of dusk, we waited on, and soon 

 heard the chorus of an approaching host. Presently they 

 appeared- — high in the clouds, and in two divisions. On 

 nearing the sand-bar they lowered their flight close to the 

 water, and amidst a crash of clanging - , stertorous voices, 

 down they pitched, luckily on our side of the bar. At 

 first we thought (being at some distance) that they had 

 dropped in the water, and the tide being- dead slack, we 

 went into action at once. Never had I felt such con- 

 fidence in the prospect of at last getting a really good 



