GULF OF SALONICA. 43 



and wetter seasons a good show of cocks, but this 

 year they were thin. 



" In the gulf of Sparta, on the plains of the 

 Eurotas, we did not find much shooting, although 

 there were some good low covers near the mouth 

 of the river, and the banks of it in many places 

 afford good shelter for game amidst its high 

 reeds and rushes, which form a border, in some 

 parts, of good depth. 



" In the gulf of Salonica our first anchorage 

 and shooting ground was Lentorochori, supposed 

 to be the ancient Methone, at the siege of which 

 place Philip of Macedon lost his right eye. It 

 is on the plains of Thessaly. Our first day's 

 shooting here produced a great variety of game. 

 Upon landing we took a line nearly direct with- 

 out reference to the likelihood of the ground for 

 game to our intended quarters at Sphintza, a 

 village twelve miles inland. 



"Near the sea- shore there was a good deal 

 of low blackthorn and reedy and marshy cover. 

 In this we first found the pheasants. The ground 

 gradually ascended from the shore and partook of 

 the character of flat park scenery high fern 

 with plenty of Velani oaks none of very great 

 size. In the fern we found pheasants and deer. 

 Further up again were cultivated wheatlands, 

 on which we found a good many partridges and 



