342 WILD SPORTS OF THE WEST. 



in tone beyond anything 1 could describe, and con- 

 tinuing, until they gradually became remote and in- 

 distinct, and at length totally died away. I was amaz- 

 ingly puzzled, but was obliged to reserve my curiosity 

 to be satisfied in the morning. 



My cousin smiled at my inquiry : — ** And you heard 

 these strange noises as well as I ? This, if you remained 

 here, would be little marvel, as nightly the Barnacle 

 cross the Lodge in passing from one estuary to the other. 

 There they sit on yonder point ; " — and, taking me to the 

 window, I saw a considerable extent of sand literally 

 black with this migratory tribe : " they come here in 

 immense multitudes, but from their coarse and fishy 

 flavour, afford little occupation to the water-shooter." 



The land barnacles are less numerous, although 

 they are found in tolerable abundance. During the 

 day I saw two flocks of one or two-hundred pairs, upon 

 the bogs. They are, when sufficiently rested from 

 their journey, sought for with great avidity by the few 

 gunners in this district, and are very delicious when 

 kept a sufficient time after being shot, before the cook 

 transfers them to the spit. 



Gray plover must also migrate in thousands hither. 

 Nothing else could account for the immense flocks 

 that have been seen, and will continue, as I am informed, 

 to arrive. The shores and moors are everywhere 

 crowded with them ; and within a hundred yards of the 

 lodge, Hennessey, with two barrels, killed seven couple 

 and a half last evening. The bent-banks are their 

 favourite fixture ; and I have never crossed them of 

 late without finding at least one stand. These vary 

 in numbers ; but I am certain I have seen three hundred 

 of these birds thus congregated. 



