38 SEAFOWL SHOOTING SKETCHES. 



instrument here delineated is easily and quickly made, and is 

 almost everlasting-. 



On th'e ist of August, 1885, I arose about three in the morning-, 

 just as the day was breaking-, and was delig-hted to see that there 

 was every prospect of fine weather. It did not take long- to dress 

 and g-et out a supply of cartridges, some with small shot for the 

 rig-ht barrel, and others with large for the left. This is a good 

 plan to stick to all the season round in wild bird shooting, and 

 then you are prepared for everything. 



Well, I turned out, and first visited the boat where I sat for 

 some little time, " waiting for something to turn up." However, 

 after a while, I decided, as my time was limited, to walk along the 

 river bank instead of staying in the boat. Soon after I started, a 

 lot of birds came flying up the river, and I fired and dropped one. 

 As usual, at the commencement of the season its companions 

 hovered around it, so it was an easy matter to re-load and settle 

 a couple more right and left. The remainder then decamped. 

 Three birds for three shots this was a good start, and wnaf little 

 wind there was blowing from the opposite side it was not a difficult 

 task to secure the lot. Further on I encountered a couple of 

 shooters who had got a bird or two. 



Here for practice, and as I wanted one for stuffing, I dropped 

 a gull in the river, and whilst my companion's dog was retrieving 

 it I shot another, which, the dog perceiving, turned back and 

 broug'ht both to hand at once. Then a kingfisher darted by, and 

 I took a snap shot and missed. Then one of the other fellows got 

 a stock-dove. 



I got in all 12 birds, besides joining my acquaintances at a 

 couple more which, in our eagerness, we fired at together. I now 

 returned home to breakfast and business. 



Afternoon found me at the same spot. On the way I shot a bird 

 which was picked up by a passing boat. Birds of all kinds were 

 scarce, and I only got four small birds, two of which were sand- 

 pipers. Another person who was shooting fired along with me 

 at a bird which I had stalked, using a cow as shelter. We riddled 

 it the bird, I mean, not the cow. I sat down on the grass, and 

 pulling out a crust or two, demolished them, had a drink and a 

 comfortable smoke, and then tramped on. 



Plodding wearily homewards in the evening, I observed my 

 companion of the afternoon, and two other young men sitting by 

 the side of a " sluice." They called me to them, and when I got 

 there one of them said, " Is this some of your work? " I replied, 

 "What is it? " and stepping forward saw a dead man lying on 

 his back at the bottom of the sluice. He was an elderly man, and 

 had apparently been drowned a few days before. I did not stay 

 long, but hastened home, with my appetite somewhat damaged 

 with the unpleasant incident. I heard afterwards that the body 



