DKCOYS FOR WILD FOWL. 213 



the water, we only killed one. The ducks having 

 come over the guns first, the teal refused the line, 

 and kept flying hack into the driver's face Ijcfore 

 they took their departure for the sea, and thus 

 we only got one. The bag picked up on the 

 spot was fift}'-one wild ducks at single over-liead 

 shots, and one teal ; in all, fifty -five ducks were 

 killed, the additional four retrieved when the 

 day was over. Lord Malmesbury had thirteen 

 ducks down around him before he left his first 

 gaze. 



We then beat a little, straggling, scanty cover, 

 and got nineteen pheasants, a w^oodcock, and 

 a cou2:)le of rabbits, which, collectively, made 

 a very nice day. We lunched within thirty 

 yards of the little home or round pond where 

 nothing is ever shot at, and while at lunch I 

 called for ^^ three cheers for the Prussians," 

 which was instantly complied with by all the 

 ducks within hearing, though among them 

 there were two wounded mallards and a duck 

 who had escaped thus hurt from the other pools. 

 I mention this to exhibit the correctness of my 

 narrative, and to show the truth of w^hat I say. 



While at lunch, and while the keepers at a 



