THE JERSEY COAST. 137 
the labor is easy, the body can be kept cool by 
wading for dead birds, and to those who are, at the 
best, not vigorous, bay-snipe shooting is a delightful 
resource. 
Never did mortals pass a pleasanter week than 
that week at the beach, and it is impossible to chro- 
nicle all the good shots, to repeat all the amusing 
stories or merry jokes, or to record all the valuable 
instruction ; and to obtain an inkling even, the reader 
had better make a firm resolve that next August will 
not pass over his head without his devoting at least 
one week to bay-snipe shooting. When at last the 
time came to part, and the baggage was packed, and 
the guns reluctantly bestowed in their cases, we bade 
our farewell with sincere regret, praying that often 
thereafter might we have such sport, and meet such 
companionship. 
It is a long journey to the beach, but it is alonger 
one back again; no high hopes buoy up the traveller, 
regrets accompany him instead—no anticipation of 
grand sport, but the gloomy certainty that it is over 
for the year; and although the conveyance to the 
beach is irregular, there is absolutely none away 
from it. It is true there are several different routes 
to and from it, but all by private conveyance, and, 
rendered by the mosquitoes nearly impracticable. 
Bill harnessed his ponies—for, wonderful to say, a 
few horses and cattle manage to live on the beach 
and sustain existence in spite of the mosquitoes—and 
we stowed ourselves and our luggage in his well 
worn wagon. The road lay over the barren beach, 
