132 EEMIXISCENCES OF A SPORTSMAN. 



I could learn, I do not think there was any trout in the 

 mountain streams, but on the sea-coast they have a 

 variety of good fish: red and grey mullet, the tunny- 

 fish, which enters the Straits of Bonifacio, and round the 

 south coast of Sardinia, and remains there from April to 

 July. The sardine, a small delicious fish, is also taken 

 on this coast. As we approached the village which was 

 to terminate our journey, we saw on an eminence the so- 

 named palace of the bishop. It was a moderately sized 

 house built of stone, but to call it palace was certainly 

 a very inappropriate name. However, we found com- 

 fortable quarters for sportsmen ; and although the furni- 

 ture was rather scanty, and not of a luxurious description, 

 we contrived to carry on the war merrily with the assist- 

 ance of Mons. Louis, chef cle cuidne, and his assistant 

 Franpois. There was a delightful view from the garden 

 which looked down on the village, through which passed 

 a little rapid rivulet, and in the distance a very extensive 

 plain, which appeared to be here and there covered with 

 wild myrtle, juniper, and dwarf oaks. 



This plain was to be the scene of our shooting for a 

 few days, as it was well stocked with red-legged par- 

 tridges, woodcocks, and quails, but few snipes. The 

 large and small bustard are frequently seen in this dis- 

 trict ; they are extremely shy and wary, and difficult to 

 get within shot; at all events we never bagged one. 

 Om* expectation of good sport in this plain was realised, 

 and we had most days our bags well filled with the par- 

 tridges, woodcocks, &c. Hares were still scarce. They 

 are rather smaller than the English hare and not of so 

 good a flavour, which may be owing to the climate. I 

 sometimes took rather a wide range alone, and on one 

 occasion I discovered a very pretty secluded valley, with 



