IMMENSE NUMBER OF BIRDS. 101 



^-roceeded to the coast of Albania the night be- 

 fore, not imagining the weather was about to 

 become so severe, and finding ourselves there, 

 did not like to lose the day for our sport, although 

 it certainly was not a very favourable one, consi- 

 derable squalls of rain and sleet following each 

 other in great rapidity. The country was very 

 wet, and a good deal flooded. We however con- 

 trived to proceed, and, having killed a few wood- 

 cocks, arrived at one part which was more flooded 

 than the rest, and where the wandering of a small 

 river from its regular course had laid many acres 

 under water, and caused long rushes to spring 

 up in a field which the year before had been 

 cultivated, and had produced Indian corn in 

 abundance. On approaching the rushes, a mag- 

 nificent body of wild duck, widgeon, and teal, 

 rose like a cloud, and just out of gun-shot. 



This being a rather common occurrence, did 

 not much attract our attention ; but, on a nearer 

 approach, others rose, and being within range, 

 those of the party who were nearest, walked in 

 amongst the rushes, and there opened a scene 

 unrivalled in the annals of shooting. Clouds of 

 ducks I have already said had flown away, and 



