AN "OLD DODGE." 257 



sport, but soon a thaw commenced, accompanied by a soft, 

 balmy, southerly wind, which appeared to have the im- 

 mediate effect on all the wild fowl, with the exception of 

 an enormous flock of brent, of sending them off seaward. 

 For over an hour we patiently waited for a change in the 

 atmosphere, but no such occurred ; and we were commen- 

 cing to chew the cud of disappointment, when evidences be- 

 came conspicuous that the brent also intended making a 

 flitting. After a deal of conversation in their ranks, much 

 pluming of feathers, and a great amount of flapping of 

 wings, the whole phalanx rose together, circled round 

 twice, and departed seaward. My never loquacious com- 

 panion silently watched them from behind our hiding-place, 

 and muttered to himself an oath. At length he exclaimed, 

 with some excitement, " I'll try the old dodge !" So, pull- 

 ing out the dirtiest remnant of a scarlet pocket-handker- 

 chief, he commenced waving it overhead. I must acknowl- 

 edge that I was rather surprised, for I had never seen wild 

 fowl called up in such a remarkable manner. But the ex- 

 perienced veteran was right: the now distant flock slowly 

 but gradually turned, and, after several times shifting their 

 course, ultimately headed directly for our hiding-place. 

 Closer and closer we cowered behind our screen; nearer 

 and nearer the game came within reach of our destructive 

 weapons. Our breath was held, and our impatience curb- 

 ed, till the leaders of the host were but forty yards off, 

 when both simultaneously rose and poured in four barrels. 

 In a moment after seven birds were struggling or lying 

 dead upon the water, while the remainder, instead of in- 

 stantly leaving, hovered over their stricken comrades till 

 both of us had obtained a second double shot. I have long 

 known plover to be guilty of such foolish want of regard 

 to their safety ; never previously brent. 



