134 THE EASTEEN HUNTERS. 



stopped to mark down one that I had flushed when 

 loading. To my astonishment, I saw it settle in 

 one of these bushes far out in the water, with not 

 a weed or blade of grass about it. I waded in after 

 it, and, when pretty close, looking attentively at the 

 bush to try and discover my friend, I detected, 

 against the light back-ground of water, not only the 

 bird I was seeking, but three or four companions 

 squatted close together. As the water had subsided 

 from its highest elevation, the scum, particles 

 of dead grass, bits of stick, and other small 

 things floating on the surface, had been washed 

 against the branches of the bush and adhered 

 to it, and formed little nests, now high above 

 the water. It was one of these deposits on 

 which the snipe were squatted. It would have 

 been a fine pot for Manuel, as they were close 

 together ; but of course I gave them a fair chance, 

 and turned them up ; with what effect I don't 

 remember." 



" Ah ! that sounds all right now," Hawkes said. 

 " But you must confess, to hear of snipe sitting in 

 trees or bushes, is likely to excite incredulity. Why, 

 wen the man, you recollect, couldn't induce his 

 friends to believe that partridges roosted in trees in 

 India." 



" How was that ? " asked Mackenzie. 



