SEAFOWL SHOOTING SKETCHES. 77 



the bird are protruded from a tuft of grass only a dozen yards 

 away. At times it may be seen within a few feet, calling vocifer- 

 ously with neck outstretched, swelling- throat, and its breath con- 

 gealing on the early morning air. 



THE CURLEW. 



A most wary bird. I have somewhere read that seven are as 

 many as a man can kill in a lifetime. I know I've only accounted 

 for seven. Curlews vary very much in size, and it is not known 

 whether age or sex is the cause. The shrill call of the curlew is 

 well known, and not difficult to imitate. Provided one is in 

 ambush and armed with a " call " they can be decoyed within 

 shot. There is a peculiar charm about the curlew and a few 

 other of the water birds. Its wildness, and the dreary swamps 

 which it frequents, affect the imagination strongly. When, after 

 a long stalk, a successful shot has been obtained, who has nj: 

 felt 



" Where now is doubt 

 Or disappointment ? For the day we bid 

 Defiance to their pow'r, and yield our soul 

 To all the fulness of successful sport." 



" Fowling," a poem, 1808. 



GULLS. 



The " common " gull on the Ribble is the black-headed species. 

 In its white summer plumage, with its black head, orange beak 

 and legs, and white tail spread out like* a fan, it is, when hovering 

 over the water, a striking picture. Frequently scores may be 

 seen quite close to the town, flying- to and fro where the sewers 

 debouch into the river. About the middle of July the dark feathers 

 on the head change to white and a black band develops on the 'ip 

 of the tail. By the ist of August the transition is about complete. 

 In March the breeding- plumage is re-assumed. Many people 

 think that one set of birds goes away and is replaced by another 

 kind, so rapid is the change in plumage. The young- birds are 

 of a speckled brown colour. 



The common gull proper is not plentiful. It is larger than the 

 preceding species, and may be described as brown and white in 

 colour. 



There are many species of gulls, and much uncertainty about 

 them, even amongst people who are otherwise pretty well up in 

 ornithology. This is to be regretted. 



THE HERON. 



What a world of romance hangs around this bird. In days 

 gone by the falconer's noblest game, the hawk's highest quarry. 



