A HAUNT OF PLOVER AND DUCK. 187 



thoughtlessly, for in it will often be " flushed " mallard, 

 nearly always teal. 



About six miles from Tangiers, on the Tetuan 

 road, there is a very large fig-tree by a well ; under- 

 neath its shadow is an excellent place for lunch. 

 You will probably have for company some fine, 

 handsome, manly, grave old Moor, sitting cross- 

 legged upon his carpet. Look at him as occasion 

 offers, and, doubtless, you will come to the conclusion 

 that, if the earth were rent apart at his feet, he would 

 not hurry, if it for a moment entailed a sacrifice of 

 dignity. Such men have of necessity splendid 

 progeny; one of the handsomest women I ever 

 saw in my life was a daughter of a chief official of 

 Tangiers. It was not a momentary impression, 

 for I was several times in her society, and for hours 

 at a time. On a par with this entrancer, I place 

 an Andalusian senorita of Los Varios Dolores. 



But supposing our sportsman has been out and 

 killed a dozen brace of partridges, a duck or two, 

 and a brace of hares, it is time to direct his 

 steps homewards, for the gates of Tangiers close at 

 sunset. 



On his way back, near the ruins, he will pass a tidal 

 creek ; it runs several miles inland. When there 

 is a heavy sea entering the outer bay, and much 

 broken water along its shore, plover and duck are 

 certain to be found in considerable numbers by its 

 course, the good old-fashioned grey plover, and the 

 brilliant mallard with his dusky wife. At the top of 

 this creek there is a brush-covered hillock with grain 

 fields around its base. Usually, early in the season, 

 two or three coveys of partridges will be found there. 

 After firing a few shots at these birds, and so alarmed 

 them, you will have to shoot quick, for the way they 

 will swing round the rough slopes of that miniature 

 mountain is a thing to be witnessed. 



After having enjoyed your dinner, return to the 



