94 WILD-FOWL SHOOTING. 



them, and affording convenient and safe retreats 

 whereon the waterfowl might dry their plumage 

 beneath the sun, or trim their feathers after the 

 performance of their ablutions. Amid the long, dank 

 grass, too, which grew like a tiny prairie over their 

 limited surface, many a coot and mallard built her 

 nest; finding a security there not always to be had 

 among the reeds and sedge, where the rise of the 

 water, consequent on rainy weather, or the fall of it, 

 which succeeded a drought, were alike detrimental to 

 the safety of the eggs. Notwithstanding this risk, 

 however, not a few still placed their frail " lares " 

 among the reeds ; and though, no doubt, the fond 

 hopes of many a mother if waterfowl may be supposed 

 to have hopes ebbed lower and lower as the waters 

 rose, and rose again as the waters fell ; and though not 

 unfrequently the nest and the hopes were damped 

 together, yet broods sufficiently numerous survived the 

 intrigues of the elements to keep the loch and the 

 neighbourhood fairly stocked with waterfowl. 



Such was the locality. A few words should also be 

 devoted to the nature of our dress. For myself, I was 

 clad in Crimean waterproof boots, reaching nearly to 

 the thigh ; a most serviceable protection against damp 

 to any one who is constantly in the water, and who 

 does not wade beyond a certain depth ; but at all times 

 awkward, as when once wetted they become so very 

 heavy as to prevent any quick motion on dry land, and 

 if the wearer once wade deep enough to admit the 

 water at the top of his boots, he will regret that he ever 

 put them on at all. What is proof against wet is also 

 necessarily proof to retain it when once admitted, and 

 in such a case a leaky pair of worn-out laced boots is 

 far preferable to the best patent waterproofs ever made. 



