418 BIRD-LIFE OF THE BORDERS 



sharply as they crossed our bows to windward. But the 

 treacherous breeze failed us precisely at the critical 

 moment, and though I "tipped" the big- gun and risked 

 a very long - shot, we got nothing. 



I fear my reader's patience will be well-nigh exhausted 

 with this catalogue of misfortunes and mischances. Such, 

 however, are from time to time the inevitable concomitants 

 of coast-gunning during mild weather, and he will perhaps 

 charitably remember that the experiences which will cost 

 him but ten minutes to read, occupied the writer the 

 greater part of three long" days and nights. 



