14 SEAFOWL SHOOTING SKETCHES. 



the cormorant to me. I held it by the neck, as it was still alive 

 and very vicious. Tossing the man a piece of silver, he departed 

 well satisfied. 



R., now seeing- his bird was retrieved, came towards the creek, 

 and I pointed out to him to follow in the man's footsteps. He 

 did so, and managed very well until he got to the water, when, 

 by some chance, he got one foot fast, then the other, and in 

 endeavouring to loose them sat down with a flop in the soft 

 mud. Oh, how I laughed, and two or three navvies passing 

 along the line to their employment joined in the chorus. It 

 completely doubled us up. R., however, did not seem to appreci- 

 ate the ludicrousness of his situation. His language was a 

 trifle elevated, and when he did get on his feet again he vowed 

 I had purposely decoyed him to the spot. He had to go at 

 least a mile and a half before he could cross the creek. Fre- 

 quently he stooped and applied his knife as a scraper to his 

 garments. 



When I met him he would scarcely speak, but being one of the 

 best-tempered fellows I know, he soon saw the affair in its true 

 light, and enjoyed it as much as his wet clothes would allow him. 



After breakfast we went into Conway, and, I am sorry to say, 

 neglected to examine the fine old castle. We called at an inn 

 for refreshment, and after sitting awhile proceeded to engage 

 a boatman to row us up the Conway. We went up the river 

 several miles, and saw a great number of birds, herons, curlews, 

 and plover, but all out of range for our guns. I shot a couple 

 of sandpipers only, and R. got an odd bird. Coming back it 

 rained hard, and we were soon wet through. We smoked and 

 liquored up, and endured it. 



After a good wash, R. and self left by the 515 train for home, 

 H. staying a few days longer. I must not forget to mention 

 that I kept the cormorant alive, wishing to see if it could be 

 tamed, and accordingly muzzled it with a cartridge case, placing 

 it under the seat. 



While the train was stopped at Chester, we got out to stretch 

 our legs, and had walked to the other end of the platform when 

 we heard a series of loud shrieks issuing from one of the carriages. 

 We turned round, and hastened back, when we saw a knot of 

 people gathered round our carriage. It appeared the cormorant 

 had got his muzzle off, and attacked the skirts of a lady who 

 was taking her seat. She sprang out, but the bird maintained its 

 hold, shaking her dress as a terrier would a rat. With many 

 apologies, we secured it afresh, and, after a long journey, 

 arrived home without further incident. 



The bird was so filthy in its habits that next day I killed it, 

 and had it and one of the curlews preserved. 



