38 The Confessions of a 'Poacher. 



was a quite successful experiment up to a 

 certain point ; but the young fowl, immediately 

 they were hatched, seemed to be able to smell 

 the salt water, and would cover miles to gain 

 the creek. With all our combined watch- 

 fulness the downy ducklings sometimes suc- 

 seeded in reaching their loved briny element, 

 and once in the sea were never seen again. 

 The pretty sea swallows used to breed on the 

 marsh, and the curious ruffs and reeves. These 

 indulged in the strangest flights at breeding 

 time, and it was then that we used to capture 

 the greatest numbers. We took them alive in 

 nets, and then fattened them on soaked wheat. 

 The birds were sent all the way to London, 

 and brought good prices. By being kept 

 closely confined and frequently fed, in a fort- 

 night they became so plump as to resemble 

 balls of fat, and then brought as much as 

 a florin a piece. If care were not taken to kill 

 the birds just when they attained to their 

 greatest degree of fatness they fell rapidly in 

 condition, and were nearly worthless. To kill 

 them we were wont to pinch off the head, and 



