1 70 Sporting Notes in the Far East. 



At the " Pagoda anchorage " there is a large mud flat opposite the 

 gunboat anchorage, which just covers at high-water-springs ; it is 

 worth a trial for snipe early in the morning. 



AMOY. 



Amoy for shooting is a wretched place, it being hardly worth 

 while going out, unless to try for a tiger in the winter time. 



In October (which is too early) some officers of H.M.S. " Ram- 

 bler," tried up the river towards the Polam bridge (a very ancient 

 construction, and well worth a visit ; it is built of magnificent slabs of 

 stone, and like the Pyramids, it is a matter of wonder and conjecture 

 how these great blocks were ever raised and built together. Per- 

 mission to go up the river to inspect the bridge is necessary it is 

 obtainable from the local Mandarin), and on the right bank, off 

 Goose island, about six miles from Amoy, they saw enormous flocks 

 of plover, curlew, stints, and a few scattered teal, all being as " wild 

 as hawks," and getting within shooting distance was a matter of 

 impossibility. 



I happened to be at this port in November, but was told it was 

 too early for anything, and even if I had been later from what I 

 have since gathered I do not suppose I should then have had 

 much sport. Nevertheless, one day I made an early start for the 

 island of Hai-ming (marked on the Admiralty chart), passing the 

 Pagoda island on the starboard hand, It is two and a half hours 



