"IN THE HARD GREY WEATHER." 33 



an expenditure of cartridges. Occasionally, 

 however, a flock of the grey sand-plover rises 

 from the feathered mass, and these may be 

 drawn within range by a skilful imitation of 

 their piping. The sand-plover is a good bird 

 for the spit, about the same size as the golden 

 plover, but with a grey instead of a dark coat- 

 ing of feathers. Red-shank may be had in 

 similar fashion, but the red-shank cannot be 

 recommended for table save in August, and 

 then only when cooked out of all personal 

 identity. The fowler on such a beat as is here 

 described must not be over particular if he 

 wants to make a respectable bag, and must be 

 content to have fish mixed with flesh in the 

 netting. He may be compensated by an odd 

 heavy duck or teal, and with a few snipe from 

 the pungent marshes. 



The end of the embankment is now reached, 

 and the fowler is face to face with the open 

 sea. The coast is wild and savage. There are 

 many scores on the wreck chart annually entered 

 against this shallow treacherous reach, and for 

 miles you can see the furious breakers, rank 

 behind rank, until the farthest seems to bristle 



L) 



