A DAY ON THE BEACH. 



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A BUNCH OF BLACK DUCKS SAILED GRACEFULLY OVER THE DECOYS. 



notes, and knew that somewhere high up a 

 tell-tale godwit had his eye upon us. 

 Crouching low we waited nearly an hour, 

 when he became bolder and at last fell a 

 victim to my brother's prowess. 



From io to n o'clock we got occasional 

 shots at bunches of 3 or 4, then we had no 

 more employment for a time and improved 

 the chance to take luncheon and enjoy a 

 smoke. 



About 3 p.m. the flight began again, and 

 lasted till 6, when we got shots at willets 

 in pairs, fours, sixes, etc. 



Just as the sun was dropping out of sight 

 a bunch of 8 black ducks sailed gracefully 

 over the decoys. They knew they were 

 protected by law. I believe they were a 

 family that had been reared there, and were 

 at home. 



Sooner or later, if so, they were 

 doomed to fall prey to the ruthless pot 

 hunter. 



Reluctantly we gathered up our game 

 and our decoys and prepared to depart. 

 Just as I -stepped out of the swale a brown 



object rushed along the ground, and I fired 

 from the hip, without time for aim, bagging 

 a fine rail. 



I sculled homeward while my brother 

 bunched the birds. 



Just as we were gloating over our tro- 

 phies — the door opened and the girl an- 

 nounced that I was " wanted immediately." 



I hustled my gun away as the frightened 

 girl withdrew — wondering, doubtless, if I 

 had lost my reason, and intended shooting 

 her or myself — slipped once more into my 

 heavy coat, and trudged out into the stormy 

 street and into the unromantic duties of the 

 busy doctor. 



And all this witchery, this delicious hap- 

 piness was wrought by a moment's glance 

 at a feather from the breast of a snipe! 



May we. as our eyes grow dim and our 

 arms tremulous, go back — as the wild fowl 

 to the scenes of its birth — to the times and 

 the joys that were ours when the hours 

 flew by on angel wiiiLjs. Recollection is 

 the resurrection of Happin< 



MAY. 



The sun i^ now brighter, the zephyrs are 

 lighter. 

 The birds' happy singing commences at 

 morn : 

 The farmer i^ growling and drinking hard 

 cider, 

 Aud cussing the crows that are pulling his 

 corn. 



