GOD WIT, AND GOLDEN PLOVER. 211 



flush it yourself. Of course, always fire at it, when 

 within sight. A good water spaniel is indispensable 

 in shooting the water rail. 



THE GODWIT. 



The Godwit is another fen bird, but found, 

 during their winter shooting, by the fowlers of our 

 coasts. Here it is met with singly ; but in the 

 northern regions of America, it goes in flocks of great 

 numbers, as many as seventy-two having been killed 

 at one shot by a Mr. Atkinson, a resident at Hud- 

 son's Bay. It is also a bonne boitche, as rare to our 

 bills of fare as its savoury compatriot, the knot. As 

 the chances of falling in with this bird are " few and far 

 between," the sportsman, who has the luck to meet 

 it, must take such advantage of his good fortune as 

 circumstances make most advisable. 



THE GOLDEN PLOVER. 



Among gourmands, the Golden Plover ranks next 

 to the woodcock some esteem them equally ; there- 

 fore it is good to shoot this feathered beau on all 

 occasions, seeing that he is especial delicate eating. 

 It is resident among us all the year round, and 

 resorts chiefly to the most secluded marshes and water- 

 meadows, keeping more than a gun-shot, generally, 

 clear of all danger, or places of ambush for the 



