SEAFOWL SHOOTING SKETCHES. 25 



It being now quite dry all round us, we left the boat and began 

 to gather cockles. There were a good many fine ones about. 

 We got several shots at divers, but all too far away to be effec- 

 tive. We only managed to get a rook and four or five purres. 

 When the tide made we set off back, and putting out our trawl, 

 got a few fish, but nothing worth mentioning. Picking up the 

 punt we had left moored near Lytham Pier, we sailed up the 

 river, but the breeze dropping we got out the sweeps, and pulled 

 home. 



The following morning I went out for a short time alone in 

 the canoe, and shot four birds. 



On the Saturday, an uncle and a couple of cousins came to 

 see me. They were particularly anxious to go in the canoe, so 

 I took them. Only one bird was got, but I had several shots at 

 stockdoves. A laughable incident occurred. Whilst one cousin 

 was rowing he " caught a crab," the result was that his brother, 

 who was sat upon the deck astern smoking his pipe and examining 

 my bird, fell overboard. He was up instantly swimming, his 

 hat on his head, his pipe in his mouth, and bird in his fist. His 

 first exclamation was, " Give me a light ! " so it may be con- 

 ceived that he had been paying attentions to a large bottle which 

 he had insisted on towing astern. After getting him in the boat, 

 we dragged her up stream, and meeting another boat coming in 

 search of us, towed both together home. It was desperately 

 hard work, and we were thankful when we had finished. 



