9 o BIRD-HUNTING 



duties, alone ! Not the least enjoyable part of the 

 day's programme were the glorious gallops we had 

 on our way there. There was generally a man sent 

 on ahead with the cameras and luncheon basket, 

 who brought back the horses, bringing them again 

 for us at the close of the day. 



Luckily (for me) the Baron was a bachelor, and so 

 we were free to spend the evenings in our own way, 

 skinning and preparing the slain, and identifying 



doubtful species. B had in his library the 



latest edition of Naumann, with large, coloured 

 plates. These volumes were constantly consulted, 

 and were most useful in settling questions under 

 discussion. 



Among the ducks seen on this water were 

 Mallard, Teal, Wigeon, Shoveler, Sheldrake, White- 

 eyed Pochard, Gadwall, and Pintail — all these in 

 immense numbers. There were also great flocks of 

 Coots and Spoonbills, Grey Herons, Little Egrets, 

 occasionally Great White Herons, Avocets, Curlew, 

 Redshanks, Night Herons, Snipe, Ringed Plovers, 

 Kentish Plovers, Green Plovers, and many others 

 swimming and wading about in the shallow water 

 and feeding on the muddy shores. The great 

 Yellow-legged Herring Gull floated overhead, uttering 

 his curious laugh, and numberless Marsh Harriers 

 quartered the reeds and skimmed over the water, 

 intent on eggs or helpless young birds, frogs, or 



