ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES. 25 



opportunities thus trifled with would have been 

 more favourably seized had I used the gun. For 

 so precarious are the chances with ball, unless 

 the sea is very smooth and the boat is steady, and you 

 are pretty confident in your own powers and those of 

 your weapon, an d so deadly is the execution of the 

 shot-charge when brought to bear within a reasonable 

 range, that the latter weapon, on ordinary occasions, 

 is decidedly to be preferred. 



Nothing of interest or event occurred in the course 

 of our homeward sail. We both felt that a more unim- 

 peachable day will not be witnessed among all that 

 may adorn the circle of the year ; and I could not but 

 feel grateful that supreme enjoyment had prevailed 

 throughout a health-giving though an unsuccessful 

 day. 



