18 SEA-FOWL SHOOTING IN 



The sight and sound of a row-boat always put 

 wild-fowl on their .guard, and generally stimulate 

 them to be alert and uneasy; so, notwithstanding 

 the frequent groups of eiders and scoters floating 

 all round on the quiet sea, the dip of the oars 

 scared each team far out of reach. Unfortunately, 

 also, the large flock of male and female eiders had 

 posted themselves outside the bays of Fiddery, 

 beyond the reach of shot. As they were most un- 

 likely to move when the water was so smooth, we 

 had to change our tactics by taking post for a flying 

 chance, while the boatmen pulled round to drive 

 them, if possible, within range of our hiding-places. 



A bluff of detached and jagged rock rising 

 abruptly in the sea, a little to the west of the 

 island, afforded me safe ambush, while my son 

 succeeded equally well in securing himself among 

 the rough stones of the Fiddery coast. We had 

 thus a narrow sea between us, where the fowl, if 

 judiciously flushed, would be very likely to pass 

 within reach of either gun, when rounding the west 

 corner of the island from its northern end, where 

 they were now seated. 



A few detached birds dashing past in mid-ehan- 



