THAT SHELDRAKE. 29 



only wanted the sheldrake safe in my coat pocket to 

 settle the business. 



The under-keeper one evening had told me that a 

 '^ coorious bird '' had been seen for some days past in 

 company with a trip of duck that frequented the river ; 

 " a sort of a painted duck he be^ zur.^' I knew it was 

 ten to one it was a sheldrake,, or shoveller, as I had 

 frequently shot them in company with other fowl at 

 Poole. I had been after the bird two or three times, 

 but somehow I had always missed him. I didn^t care 

 much about the other ducks; in fact, I rather object to 

 shooting wildfowl on one's own ground. I have a sort 

 of idea that they are ornamental ; it must be only an 

 idea, as I hardly ever see them by daytime, but somehow 

 it sounds well in an advertisement — " Mansion for sale, 

 &c. ; lake well stocked with wildfowl ;" it has quite a ducal 

 smack about it. No, I only wanted Master Sheldrake, 

 it must be confessed, to ornament with his wings the 

 hat of the future partner of my joys and woes. I had 

 talked a good deal about that sheldrake after dinner. 

 "Of course, my dear, nothing easier. I'll get it you 

 to-morrow; the wing is lovely, and will exactly suit 

 that sealskin turban.'' Many to-morrows passed, and 

 no sheldrake ; and only yesterday my beloved had 

 mounted, as if in defiance, a great red flaming breast of 

 some exotic bird or other, and " hoped it suited the 

 sealskin turban." Now chaff I never can stand, and 

 when it comes from the love — but mind, she may pos- 

 sibly read this. 



And so I walked briskly forward, mentally resolving 

 that I will have that confounded bird somehow. How- 

 ever, it is no good going after the ducks now, as they 

 are all out at sea for the day and I must wait for the 



