AN “OLD DODGE.” 257 
sport, but soon a thaw commenced, accompanied by a soft, 
balmy, southerly wind, which appeared to have the im- 
mediate effect on all the wild fowl, with the exception of 
an enormous flock of brent, of sending them off seaward. 
For over an hour we patiently waited for a change in the 
atmosphere, but no such occurred; and we were commen- 
cing to chew the cud of disappointment, when evidences be- 
came conspicuous that the brent also intended making a 
flitting. After a deal of conversation in their ranks, much 
pluming of feathers, and a great amount of flapping of 
wings, the whole phalanx rose together, circled round 
twice, and departed seaward. My never loquacious com- 
 panion silently watched them from behind our hiding-place, 
and muttered to himself an oath. At length he exclaimed, 
with some excitement, “T’ll try the old dodge!” So, pull- 
ing out the dirtiest remnant of a scarlét pocket - handker- 
chief, he commenced waving it overhead. I must acknowl- 
edge that I was rather surprised, for I had never seen wild 
fowl called up in such a remarkable manner. But the ex- 
perienced veteran was right: the now distant flock slowly 
but gradually turned, and, after several times shifting their 
course, ultimately headed directly for our hiding-place. 
Closer and closer we cowered behind our screen; nearer 
and nearer the game came within reach of our destructive 
weapons. Our breath was held, and our impatience curb- 
ed, till the leaders of the host were but forty yards off, 
when both simultaneously rose and poured in four barrels. 
In a moment after seven birds were struggling or lying 
dead upon the water, while the remainder, instead of in- 
stantly leaving, hovered over their stricken comrades till 
both of us had obtained a second double shot. Ihave long 
known plover to be guilty of such foolish want of regard 
to their safety; never previously brent. 
