EXPLANATION OF PLATE. 385 



the birds that are mortally wounded fly off apparently 

 unhurt, and then drop suddenly from the flock. 



Critic. Why is your wounded curlew on his legs, 

 and the goose unable to dive, while the winged hooper 

 is able to swim ? 



Author. Because the mud being convex, in some 

 places, the water that flows over it is only about three 

 inches deep there ; while it may be nearly a foot deep 

 a few yards further; and the web-footed bird always 

 makes for the deep, while the wader seeks the shallow, 

 water. 



Before dismissing the plate, too, I should explain, 

 that the man, who is taking the passing shot, is 

 sketched for Buckle, with his punt : the yawl is with 

 a party, and a swivel-gun, who are bearing down, in 

 obedience to the punter's signal, while the other man 

 is standing on his mud-boards, hallooing and swearing 

 because he also cannot obey the signal (by walking 

 across to intercept the cripples) through fear of leaving 

 two city gentlemen aground ; while their poodle dog can 

 no longer contain himself, and on hearing another shot, 

 jumps overboard. The Newfoundlander, in the fore- 

 ground, is sketched from a bitch of mine, that was 

 imported from St. John's. 



In describing these subjects, however, I have un- 

 fortunately not the means of getting assisted as could 

 be wished, because they are so totally foreign to artists. 

 But for the original plate from which this was taken I 

 am indebted to the kind and able assistance of William 

 Daniell, Esq. R.A, 



c c 



