38 UNSUCCESSFUL SHOOTING. 



the continued ringing of the fishermen's shouts ; the 

 almost everlasting echo of our guns, which every crag and 

 cranny seemed determined to reiterate ; and, ahove all, 

 and harmonizing all, the tumultuous roar of the restless 

 ocean, as its long and heavy swell dashed against the 

 perpendicular but rugged cliff ; produced such a combi- 

 nation of sights and sounds, as, once seen and heard, 

 can never be forgotten. 



But where was the produce of our united discharge ? 

 Twenty or thirty birds, at least, ought to have fallen plump 

 into the sea ; for we fired right in their faces, and some of 

 them seemed to be within ten yards of us : however, not a 

 bird fell, nor did there appear to be a single feather touch- 

 ed. We stood gaping at one another in unfeigned asto- 

 nishment. Was the miss to be attributed to the rolling of 

 the boat, or the swell ? Certainly not ; for in such a crowd 

 all nicety of aim would have been useless. Had we for- 

 gotten to put in the shot ? Still very improbable. The 

 fishermen explained the mystery ; and I doubt not your 

 ornithological readers have done the same : the feathers on 

 the breasts and necks of sea-birds are so closely matted to- 

 gether, and form a covering so smooth and compact, that 

 shots striking in front will not enter, but instantly glance 

 off, without doing the slightest injury. As soon as we un- 

 derstood our error we were determined to rectify it, and 

 were loading again in an instant. Now, as each little covey 

 (for they fly in coveys, like partridges) passed over us, we 

 took them in the rear, and to every barrel a bird fell thud 

 into the water. This plan answered delightfully; and find- 

 ing its efficacy, our spirits, which were somewhat damped 

 by the first disappointment, now rose with the excitement 

 of the scene ; and although, partly owing to the motion 



