260 BIRD-LIFE OF THE BORDERS. 



with 16 of frost, and a cutting wind off the snow-clad hills. 

 The rounded decks of the punt were soon encased in a sheet 

 of ice, and the sea-water froze into icicles along the harrel of 

 the punt-gun and elevator. But, cruel and biting as was the 

 cold, the marvellous spectacles of bird-life we witnessed that 

 day were ample compensation. Never have I seen such 

 sights as were presented by the multitudes of Brent Geese. 

 Words fail to convey any adequate idea of their numbers, 

 and of the effects produced by the disciplined evolutions 

 of their vast hosts as they wheeled and manoeuvred in the 

 air. In roughly estimating their numbers at something 

 like 30,000 more than double the number we had in the 

 severe winters of 1878-9 and 1880-1 I fear I may be sus- 

 pected of exaggeration. But these numbers are probably 

 not very far wrong. 



In spite, however, of the numbers by which we were 

 surrounded, we found it no easy matter to get near them, or 

 to lay hands on so much as a single goose. Hour after 

 hour was spent in fruitless efforts, which, up to midday, 

 were not rewarded by a shot. The tide was ebb, consequently 

 the main bodies of the Geese were congregated upon the dry 

 mud, far beyond our reach. There was, however, no lack of 

 them in the deep water channels, or " guts," to which 

 detachments of several thousands were continually resorting 

 during the intervals of feeding, and where they sat in the 

 water, splashing, washing, and preening themselves. These, 

 however, proved so extremely watchful and wide-awake that, 

 though I "set " to them at least a dozen times, I never 

 succeeded in getting within fair shot. Two or three times 

 I had small straggling " bunches," or the fringe, so to speak, 

 of their main line within range ; but with the enormous 

 numbers in view, I was all anxiety to make a heavy shot, 

 and declined to accept such paltry chances. 



As the day wore on and afternoon arrived, with the fore- 

 peak still empty, we began to despair of getting to close 

 quarters, and I risked a long shot, which secured five. After 

 this it was a long time before I could get on any sort of 

 terms with them ; but as the flowing tide gradually covered 

 the mud-flats, I began to get in touch of the main bodies of 



