IV at erf owl. 6l 



dive ; it soon grew exhausted, was a little too slow in 

 taking a dive, and was grasped in the claws of its foe. 



In duck-shooting where there are reeds, grass and 

 water-lilies the cripples should be killed at once, even at the 

 cost of burning some additional powder, many kinds of 

 waterfowl being very expert at diving. Others, as wid- 

 geon, shoveller, and teal, do not dive, merely trying to hide 

 in some hole in the bank ; and these are generally birds 

 that fall to the touch of shot much more easily than is the 

 case with their tougher relatives. 



There are two or three species of birds tolerably com- 

 mon over the plains which we do not often regularly hunt, 

 but which are occasionally shot for the table. These are 

 the curlew, the upland or grass plover, and the golden 

 plover. All three kinds belong to the family of what are 

 called wading birds ; but with us it is rare to see any one 

 of them near water. 



The curlew is the most conspicuous ; indeed its loud, 

 incessant clamor, its erect carriage, and the intense 

 curiosity which possesses it, and which makes it come 

 up to circle around any strange object, all combine to 

 make it in springtime one of the most conspicuous 

 features of plains life. At that time curlews are seen 

 in pairs or small parties, keeping to the prairies and 

 grassy uplands. They are never silent, and their dis- 

 cordant noise can be heard half a mile off. Whenever 

 they discover a wagon or a man on horseback, they fly 

 toward him, though usually taking good care to keep out 

 of gunshot. They then fly over and round the object, 

 calling all the time, and sometimes going off to. one 



