150 Sea ^ Shore Birds 



At least I fancy that would have been the end 

 of the animal, had he succeeded in obtaining one. 



Personally, I think it must be rather a nuisance 

 never to see a wild bird or animal without wishing 

 to slay it — a great nuisance for the bird or the animal, 

 at any rate ! 



One is supposed not to be a sportsman unless one 

 evinces an anxiety for killing ; but I am not sure that 

 one does not often get more sport out of watching 

 wild creatures in their natural haunts, and quite as 

 much pleasure as shooting them, if not more. 



For instance, a naturalist's diary is surely a more 

 interesting record than a game-book, which seems a 

 good deal to aim at recording how many more par- 

 tridges or pheasants you have been able to kill than 

 your neighbours. 



At any rate, here was a guest with a real love for 

 knocking shot and bullets into various creatures ; and 

 so his great desire to shoot a seal must be gratified. 



I did give him a fair chance before conceiving so 

 mischievous a joke as I finally played him. 



Two or three times expeditions were made, but 

 somehow or other the seals never would come and 

 take their siestas where they ought to have : it was 

 too idiotic of them ! 



For instance, on a Tuesday, when a whole party 

 of us were out together, chattering like magpies, in 

 a steam-launch, if there weren't three seals, as big as 

 hippopotomi, lying on a rock close by to which we 

 steamed. 



[Of course, all this time I am supposed to be 



