51 



CHAPTER IV. 



" Jam varias pelagi volucres et quse Asia circum 

 Dulcibus in stagnis rimantur prata Caystri, 

 Certatim largos humeris infundere rores, 

 Nunc caput objectare fretis, nunc currere in undas, 

 Et studio incassum videas gestire lavandi." 



VIRG. Georg. Lib. 1. 383. 



THE weather on the following day was stormy and 

 boisterous to a degree. Heavy showers of rain 

 succeeded eaeh other with obstinate determination. 

 The white breakers in the open sea were fierce and 

 frolicsome, and nothing was to be done in the open air 

 without the natural accompaniment of a very complete 

 drenching. 



It is in such weather as this that the sportsman 

 will look after his guns. It is not the influence of the % 

 sea air alone that does the harm, but the combined 

 effects of sea air and rain, I especially notice, cause the 

 greatest amount of oxidation. Rainy days, however, 

 when not of too long continuance, are by no means 

 unwelcome to the bird collector, as on these occasions 

 he is able to bestow unremitting attention to the due 

 preparation of his specimens. 



