SOME EXTRACTS FROM A SHOOTER'S NOTE-BOOK. 445 



reaches of the river ; but there is a great deal of snow still 

 lying on the level fields and sheltered hollows. 



11th. — Some more hail-showers last night, and this morning 

 the ground is well covered. Frost again set in this evening, 

 with wind from north-east. 



12th. — More snow and hail-showers from north-east last 

 night and at intervals during the day, while the wind has risen, 

 and some frost with every appearance of its continuing, the 

 birds again beginning to suffer and resorting to the shores. A 

 large flock of Wild Geese came down from inland, flying low 

 and evidently going to pitch in the shore field, when some- 

 thing alarmed them and, rising higher, they resumed their flight 

 towards Bartragh. 



13th. — A large quantity of hail and snow fell last night, 

 covering the ground to a depth of seven inches, but it has drifted 

 very deep in some places. 



14th. — More snow last night, covering the ground much 

 deeper in the level fields, as well as increasing the drifts, which 

 are three feet deep right across the middle avenue, stopping all 

 car traffic. I went out to-day and shot two couple of Cocks, 

 missing some others that so deftly dodged me between the snow- 

 covered trees. However, I afterwards went to Halliday's and 

 Wright's fields, to search the open, unfrozen drains for Snipe. 

 I shot three brace : a brace of Quail that rose from a bunch of 

 briars alongside a fence ; a brace of Water-Bails, a Water-Hen, 

 and two others caught by my Water-Spaniel " Floss." In the 

 evening I went to the little marsh at Kilanly, but seeing 

 nothing there I returned along the shore. While passing the 

 little muddy bay (just cleared of ice by the ebbing tide), I 

 observed a Eedshank some distance off, feeding on the mud, and 

 though a long way off, as I wanted to discharge my gun previous 

 to washing, I fired and, to my surprise, knocked it over dead. 

 My Water- Spaniel " Floss " fetched it in, and on taking it from 

 her I remarked that the bill and legs appeared longer and 

 slighter than those of the Common Eedshank. However, in the 

 bad light I took no farther notice, but on my return, taking the 

 birds out of the game-bag to hang up for the night, I again 

 examined the stranger, when to my great surprise and delight 

 it proved to be a specimen, in winter plumage, of the rare 



