64 THE HUNTER'S ARCADIA. 



clear to view as if it was full daylight. As soon 

 as I raise myself to shoot the birds see me, and 

 again take wing, but too late for four to continue 

 with their friends, for the cruel discharge of both 

 barrels has either killed them outright, or so dis- 

 abled them that they must remain where they have 

 fallen. 



Again and again flights of the same duck arrive 

 and are treated in a similar way. It is a shame to 

 deal such destruction amongst them ; but as an 

 excuse for the slaughter I can only urge their 

 excellence as food. 



This teal, on account of the colour of its bill, 

 is called the red-billed teal (Anas erythrorhyncha), 

 and is the most abundant species in this part of 

 the country, save at some periods of the year, when 

 the willow duck (Dendrocygna viduata) will be 

 found almost equally numerous ; but when the vleys 

 commence to get shallow the latter leaves for the 

 large lagoons and water-courses to the north. 



Although rapidly becoming dark, and it will 

 soon be too much so to shoot, a flock of worthier, 

 because larger, game is heard in the distance ; and 

 an attuned ear to the sound soon recognises the 



