82 NATURE AND WOODCRAFT. 



sea-mews. All the birds that line the channel 

 now grow active, and either run or flap along 

 the lagoons. Five ducks fly low, coming from 

 seaward, but keep so far away that we can- 

 not determine the species. As the tide rolls 

 to our feet, thousands of sea-birds fly crying and 

 calling over the waters. A Woodcock looms 

 out over the sandy tract below, and is shot. It 

 is followed by another, and another, until five 

 are killed. This is wholly unexpected, both 

 time and place being unusual ; and then five 

 Woodcocks in company are rare. 



Presently the tide ebbs ; the cockle-beds 

 teem with countless birds; and with the twilight 

 the ducks begin to arrive over their feeding 

 ground. We are now snugly ensconced, with 

 the wind behind us ; a cavernous recess in the 

 rocks affords a seat ; and from the promontory 

 we command several likely pieces of water. 

 Nor have we long to wait, for the spaniel 

 quickly rises to its feet and stiffens every 

 muscle. We catch now what his quick ear 

 detected before us, and a quacking comes 

 from overhead. Four Teal wheel around, 

 then make up channel. A single black-look- 

 ing duck comes within forty yards, and falls 



