SEAFOWL SHOOTING SKETCHES. 29 



was a bird each. We were not long in landing and retrieving 

 them. It became dark soon after, and many birds flew over our 

 bows, but although we fired several times we did not get any- 

 thing. 



About eight o'clock we arrived at our destination, but had first 

 about a quarter of a mile to tramp from the channel being low 

 water. We had the usual ham and eggs, and, in fact, made a 

 very hearty supper. After a glass or two we lighted a cigar, and 

 took a short walk, after which we retired to rest. 



At half-past five in the morning we were posted on the edge of 

 the channel, the tide being out and our boat aground. We had a 

 few hours good sport among the purres, getting over a dozen 

 between us, single shots. It was most amusing 'to see the way 

 in which they flew along the margin of the stream. When they 

 dropped in we generally managed to secure them, by the old 

 trick of throwing stones just beyond where they floated, thus 

 gradually bringing them to the .side. A far better plan might be 

 arranged with a piece of string and a wood grapnel at the end ; 

 it would certainly be much more effective than the antiquated 

 stone-throwing dodge. We saw several curlews, but all out of 

 range. B. got a ring-dotterel a very nice specimen. We ad- 

 journed to a late second breakfast, and the tide making about 

 noon, as soon as the boat floated we set sail with a fair wind, and 

 went up the river at a good rate. I killed a couple of birds in fair 

 style, one of which we were unable to bag. 



Having been told by some men who came down the same morn- 

 ing that they had seen five ducks knocking about very tame, we 

 kept our eyes open. B. steered and I sat forward, when suddenly 

 we observed the five ducks quietly swimming close to the wall. 

 We both crouched down, and B. kept the boat in the middle of the 

 river, so as not to alarm them. When we got within about 30 

 yards they rose, and I fired. One dropped, and I said, " Mine's 

 down." 



B. fired, and remarked, "So is mine." The three remaining 

 birds flew over the boat, but the sail being in the way, my second 

 barrel was behind. Well, there was my bird floating up stream, 

 so we downed sail and pulled towards it, when it instantly dived. 

 Waiting for it to rise, I gave it another charge, which settled it 

 I landed B., and then picked it up. As my friend's bird fell on 

 shore, and he was a long time searching for it, I dropped the 

 anchor and went to assist him, but there was nothing to be seen. 

 Evidently it had crept into the water, dived, and got away. 



We again embarked, but chancing to look back, we saw some 

 men get out of a boat and run along the side ; then they hastily 

 jumped in their boat, crossed the river, and ran on the other 

 side. We waited for them, and they told us they had been chasing 

 a winged duck, but, not having a gun, they were unable to get it. 



