GRAY PLOVER. 283 



coarse and fishy flavour, afford little occupation to the water- 

 shooter. 



The land barnacles are less numerous, although they are 

 found in tolerable abundance. During the day I saw two 

 flocks, of one or two hundred pairs, upon the bogs. They 

 are, when sufficiently rested from their journey, sought for 

 with great avidity by the few gunners in this district, and are 

 very delicious when kept a sufficient time after being shot, 

 before the cook transfers them to the spit. 



Gray plover must also migrate in thousands hither. 

 Nothing else could account for the immense flocks, that have 

 been seen, and will continue, as I am informed, to arrive. 

 The shores and moors are everywhere crowded with them ; 

 and within a hundred yards of the lodge, Hennessey, with two 

 barrels, killed seven couple and a half last evening. The 

 bent-banks are their favourite fixture : and I have never 

 crossed them of late without finding at least one stand. These 

 vary in numbers ; but I am certain I have seen three hundred 

 of these birds thus congregated. 



There is, in shoting plover, a common remark made by 

 sportsmen, that the second is always the more productive 

 barrel. The rapidity with which they vary their position 

 when on the ground, seldom admits of a grand combination 

 for a sitting, or rather a running shot. But when on the 

 wing, their mode of flight is most favourable for permitting 

 the shot to tell; and it is by no means unusual to bring 

 down a number. "When disturbed, they frequently wheel 

 back directly above the fowler, and offer a tempting mark 

 if he should have a barrel in reserve ; and even when too 

 high for the shot to take effect, I have often thrown away 

 a random fire ; for the plover, on hearing the report, directly 

 make a sweep downwards on the wing, and I have by this 

 means brought them within range of the second barrel. 



"When the season advances, the number of geese* that 



* The time that wild geese feed in this country is by night, and par- 

 ticularly during moonlight. I have never known them either netted or 

 decoyed ; and all the shooter has to rely upon is patience and a long 

 barrel. Of all the prizes that a wildfowl- shooter could wish to meet with, 

 a flock of teal is the very first. Independently of their being by far the 

 best birds of the whole Anas tribe, they are so much easier of access, and 

 /equire such a slight blow, that no matter whether you are prepared for 

 wildfowl, partridges, or snipes, you may, at most times, with very little 



