206 FRANK FORESTER S FIELD SPORTS. 



plentiful, and in excellent condition, during the month of 

 August, in the year 1844. The country being closely enclosed 

 with stout timber fences, it is impracticable either to drive up 

 to them in a two-wheeled carriage, which is by far the prefera- 

 ble mode of pursuing them, or to stalk them on horseback ; 

 although I am of opinion that great sport might be had there 

 Avith a pony that could fence well, and stand fire steadily. The 

 men who shoot them for the market there, build bough-houses, 

 in which to lie hid, or conceal themselves in the corners of 

 maize-fields, or behind any casual hiding-places the countiy 

 may offer, while their companions scatter about the fields, driv- 

 ing the birds to and fro, and rendering them, of course, exceed- 

 ingly wild ; yet a considerable number are shot thus, as they 

 fly over their concealed enemies. This mode of proceeding is, 

 of course, unendurable to the sportsman. By the aid of Eley's 

 wire cartridges, red and blue, of No. 6 shot, however, I con- 

 trived to get moderately good sport, walking about in pursuit 

 of them, and taking my chance at those driven over me by other 

 parties. I, one day, bagged sixteen birds thus ; but it would 

 have been a hundred to one against getting a single Sandpiper, 

 with loose shot ; as I am certain that not one bird fell within 

 fifty yards of me. 



This Sandpiper flies very swiftly, and when on the wing 

 shews like a very large bird, owing to the great length of its 

 shai-p-pointed wings. At first sight, you would suppose it to be 

 as large as a pigeon, although its body is not, in truth, very 

 much larger than that of the common Snipe, or intermediate be- 

 tween that and the Woodcock, while the extent of its wings 

 from tip to tip exceed either of these, by nearly one-fourth. 

 Like many other species of wild birds, this Sandpiper is ex- 

 tremely cunning, and appears to be able to calculate the range 

 of a fowling-piece with great nicety ; and you will constantly 

 find them sitting perfectly at their ease, until a few paces more 

 would bring you within shot of them, and then rising, with 

 their provoking whistle, just when you believe yourself sure of 

 getting a crack at them. In the same manner they will circle 



