THE PEAT ISLE. 249 



must put up one flock by stalking the other. Made choice 

 of the southerns. When I neared them on hand and 

 knee, they were so dispersed that I could only pick off a 

 bird with each barrel. Wounded both badly, but one flew 

 out into the rough water before it dropped. Dick retrieved 

 the other with difficulty. 



A crowd of widgeon were collected in the north-east 

 bay of the island. Made a long and careful approach. 

 Got within a fair shot, and dropped four to my two dis- 

 charges 5 secured three. Dick had the fourth under his 

 paws, but it managed to escape. It was now almost too 

 dark to spy our game ; we, however, twigged a couple of 

 morillons in Inch Connachan Bay. Got to the nearest 

 point without difficulty. Both popped up their heads at 

 the same moment ; I killed one, but the other flew into 

 the dark shadow of the island. Nine head. 



As will be seen from the above sketch, the rough weather 

 drove the wild-fowl into the shelter of the bays to-day ; 

 also the waves prevented the wounded from being either 

 seen or retrieved. 



Monday r , 31s. Delightful weather for wild sport ; keen 

 frost and calm. The same range as yesterday. Only a 

 solitary duck on Eossarden to-day. Poor thing, she was 

 taking advantage of the few slant rays of sunshine for a 

 siesta ! A massy rock, which towered about forty yards 

 from her resting-place, was easily gained. She was stand- 

 ing on one leg, with her bill under her wing, the very 

 picture of repose, which I don't think I broke, as she never 

 moved after she fell off her green cushion into the water. 



