830 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 



affords one of the greatest pleasures. These birds are so easy 

 to shoot, that in some places fifty or sixty may be killed in 

 one day, particularly in autumn, when they are so fat that 

 they nearly burst their skins. 



The Brown Snipe. — This is another rare bird, of which 

 six specimens only have been killed in Britain. The first 

 was killed in Devonshire, in October, and is now preserved 

 in the British Museum ; a second was killed in the same 

 count}'', and is in Mr. Drew's collection ; another was killed 

 near Carlisle, in 1835, and is the property of T. C. Heysham, 

 Esq. ; and a fourth was shot at Yarmouth in the autumn of 

 1836, and is possessed by the Rev. Leonard Rudd, Yorkshire ; 

 and Israel Gurney, Esq., of Norwich, possesses two, which were 

 killed there in 1840, and are preserved in his collection. 

 This bird is a native of the United States of America. The 

 whole length of the bird is froui ten to eleven inches, 

 depending on age and sex ; the beak also varies in length 

 from two inches to two inches and a half. 



SHOOTING WILD DUCKS, ETC. 



This sport is only fitted for those who have hardy consti- 

 tutions ; and even such sportsmen who have a relish for it 

 must take care to be warmly clothed, as it can only be fol- 

 lowed in severe weather. Besides the apparel being of the 

 strongest description, the legs must be protected by what 

 are called luads by fishermen, viz., strong knit stockings, which 

 come up to the middle of the thighs ; and even with these 

 double defenders of the legs a pair of water-proof boots will 

 also be indispensable. A cap must also be worn, made of 

 skin, as wild-fowl are much afraid of a hat. To render leather 

 impervious to water it must be well anointed with the 

 following composition, put on while lukewarm : — 



