WILDFOWL OF THE NORTH-EAST COAST 287 



conditions, is wofully disappointed in his first attempts 

 to use a big" gun. The new conditions and the con- 

 strained position, lying' prone among rocks, are apt to 

 disconcert his wonted skill ; and he has perhaps to 

 admit himself outstripped at the business by the long 

 single- barrel of a fisherman -gunner, who probably 

 could not hit a partridge to save his life. 



