SHORE SHOOTING FROM A BOAT. 15 



quills are white. We noticed and we had good opportunities of doing so, for 

 we spent hours at the bar in zealous but vain endeavours to get a shot that 

 the majority of the Richardsons, which varied in ground colour from light buff 

 to dark brow r n, were to a certain extent albinos. They also seemed to fly 

 within easy range of everybody except ourselves. On one occasion three of 

 us waded into the water from opposite points and fairly enveloped a Skua 

 while engaged in the pursuit of a Tern ; but even then, when a shot seemed 

 certain, it suddenly rose straight up and eluded us, the only result being a 

 ducking for one of the trio who incautiously stepped into a submerged hole. 



WAITING FOR THE TIDE. 



We decided after this to give the boat another trial, and the following day 

 saw us early en route for the bar. We bagged one or two Lapwings at the 

 start, and then, passing the mud-flats without a stop, made straight for the 

 estuary's mouth. As we turned the last corner, we espied in the distance the 

 well-known form of the Skua, harrying as usual the flock of unoffending Terns. 

 We were conscious also of a marked change coming over the movements of 

 our boat ; we were getting into rough water. We anchored, and it got still 

 rougher as the wind rose, and the Skua showed no signs of coming within 

 range. Proposals for a stroll along the shore became more and more frequent, 

 and at length, when one bold spirit suggested lunch, B - bluntly stated 

 that he should enjoy his better on the land. Others seemed to think likewise, 

 and the only one who actually did lunch in the boat was the boatman. 



