6 A BIRD COLLECTOR'S MEDLEY. 



the mud at the bottom of a tidal drain. But the more prosaic question which 

 confronts the engulfed shooter is, " how to get out again ? " It is difficult to 

 prescribe for such an emergency ; but as, supposing the tide to be on the 

 turn, the position is unpleasant in the extreme, my own experience may 

 perhaps be of service to the unwary. 



The only time I was ever actually stuck within, by the way, two yards 

 of the suggestive skeleton of a sheep a friend succeeded in bringing an oar 

 and throwing it to me. I raised myself on it with my arms, and was surprised 

 at the ease with which my feet came out. The mud seemed to have no real 

 holding power, one was detained only by the impossibility of getting any shove 

 off from the bottom. It occurred to me afterwards that I might have used my 

 gun as I did the oar, and, though I have never yet sacrificed it to prove the 

 truth of this theory, I have little doubt but that it would work. 



As a last resort, it is popularly maintained that the captive should recline 

 on his back, pull up his legs, if he can, and then shuffle off after the manner 

 of a serpent ; but as prevention in the case of so dire a remedy is certainly 

 better than cure, it is wisest to be provided with the skin of an old football, 

 which will form a tolerable seat on any projecting piece of solid mud, and if 

 the shooter throws down a plentiful supply of samphire on the slime beneath 

 his feet, he will be able to jump up when the birds are within range and get a 

 safe and comfortable standing shot. Of course, many people may consider this 

 mud-larking programme altogether beneath them, but I can at all events vouch 

 for its efficacy, while, as for the dirt, one walk into the open sea at the finish, 

 and not a sign of it remains to be seen. The only serious objection that I have 

 ever experienced is the chance of being stung by one of the numerous bees 

 which abound amidst the samphire at this season ; and on this account it is 

 advisable to take with you a small lump of common soda to rub on the spot 

 as soon as the sting has been extracted. 



The luncheon interval is one that should be made the most of by judiciously 

 selecting a resting-place either near some frequented creek, or amidst some sand- 

 hills bordering on the marsh. The entrance to a rabbit burrow will form a 

 most comfortable arm-chair for the weary, and, as you lie ensconced within 

 its grateful cavity, it is astonishing how many birds, the majority of them from 

 behind, will fly within range of a ready gun. Curiosity seems often to get 

 the better of wariness, however constitutional, and I have bagged even the 

 wily Curlew in this way. 



The prospects of sport will be still further enhanced if we have some 

 dummies to put down at the water's edge. The chief objection to dummies 

 is the difficulty of conveying the ordinary sort about. I once invented some 



