EAST DEVON. XXXI 



The mud-banks and marshes of the Exe and the Clyst were once 

 a great resort for Wild-fowl^ and afforded good sport to gunners, 

 but are now rarely visited by Ducks and Geese, except in severe 

 winters, and even then their numbers cannot be compared to what 

 were seen in former days before the introduction of punt-guns 

 and the construction of the railways on either side of the river 

 had banished the Coots from its waters. 



Between Topsham and Exmouth are extensive mud-flats, bare at 

 low water. They become more sandy near Starcross and towards 

 the mouth of the Exe; but just below Topsham the mud is very 

 soft and tenacious, of a deep black colour under the surface, and 

 exhaling most unpleasant odours, consisting as it does, in great 

 measure, of the sewage brought clown from the City of Exeter 

 and the towns above. Although more mud is carried down 

 during the winter season than in summer, yet the surface is firmer 

 at the former period, because the high winds and storms press it 

 down and consolidate it. In some spots there are deep holes and 

 soft places which are rather dangerous, and we have several times 

 had difficulty in extricating ourselves, having sunk into them when 

 too eagerly pursuing shore-birds. It is related of an officer of 

 the Royal Artillery, who was staying at Exmouth, that wishing to 

 enjoy a morning's sport, shooting on the mud near Lympstoue, he 

 provided himself with '' mud-pattens " (pieces of board strapped to 

 his feet) in order to prcA'cnt himself from sinking iti the mud. 

 Unfortunately, after he had proceeded a considerable distance 

 from the shore, he staggered and crossed his feet, and to his 

 chagrin found himself unable to move. Notwithstanding all his 

 eiforts to attract attention, he was not observed until the rising 

 tide had reached halfway up his body, when a boat put off and he 

 was rescued from his unpleasant position. Formerly vast flocks 

 of Iling-Plovers, Dunlins, Sandcrlings, Knots, Godwits, Curlew, 

 and Whimbrel, with occasionally some Curlew Sandpipers, Red- 

 shanks, Grcenshanks, and Turnstones, used to be seen on these 

 mud-flats, especially in autumn and spring. Even now enormous 

 flocks of Lapwings, Golden Plover, and Dunlins visit them at times 

 during the winter months, but are shy and difficult to approacli. 

 The Black-tailed Godwit and Spotted Redshank have occurred. 

 The Otter, wliich rises in the Blackdown Hills just over the border 



