52 SEAFOWL SHOOTING SKETCHES. 



water, I found it laid dead on the greensward beyond. Our total 

 bag- was 43 birds, consisting- principally of purres, ring dotterels, 

 bar-tailed godwits, and several little stints. 



The next morning I again went down with my friend, Doctor 

 Lamb. We pulled down, the breeze being still from the west, and 

 had a very enjoyable day. Being very fine, the birds were wilder, 

 and we only got 20 between us. We saw a team of ducks flying 

 over, but not being in cover they flew wide of us. 



While waiting for the flood, having a small spirit lamp and 

 kettle, we brewed a glass of warm water and whisky aboard the 

 boat, and very good it was, as we were getting a little chilled. 



We had a nice breeze home again, and got back by dusk. 

 . The following morning, I was not intending going again, but 

 a telegram from Mr. Goodson arriving, I met him and a young 

 companion at half-past 10, and very soon after we had embarked 

 got a young herring gull. We landed on the marsh, looking for 

 some curlews which we heard, and I put up a fine hare, at which, 

 of course, I did not fire. 



Then, not seeing the curlews, we took to the boat again, and 

 a stock dove coming straight over, I dropped it. I had some fair 

 sport among the purres, and having a nice chance, killed a couple 

 of little stints right and left as they flew by, I standing on the 

 bank at the time. 



It rained very fast at one time, and accordingly we made for a 

 public-house, where we had a dish of ham and eggs and some beer. 

 We walked down to the boat, but a shower coming on, we sat 

 under a tarpaulin which was spread over a stranded boat, pro- 

 bably for the accommodation of the salmon fishers. 



It was very pleasant lying there smoking and watching, and 

 listening to the rain pattering on the water. Under such circum- 

 stances I always think of old " Isaac " and his scholar sitting 

 under the hedge-sheltering and discoursing, and many a time 

 have I been tempted when reflecting on that incident to take an 

 angle rod and try my luck, but almost invariably without success. 



We had a few more shots, getting again exactly 20 birds, and 

 sailed home, the wind being in its usual quarter. It was quite 

 dark when we arrived, and, after a parting drink, my friend left 

 for the station, well pleased with his day's outing. 



We only saw a few ducks and curlews, also some golden plover 

 and lapwings, but all well out of reach. A heron or two also 

 sailed by in the distance. 



