94 \VILD LIFE IN CHINA. 



bow. There is, besides, an added pleasure to marsh shooting 

 in this province. One is nearly sure to have the ground to 

 himself, and there are no grave-mounds. There is therefore 

 little chance of having shots spoilt by finding an old woman 

 or a small boy in a line with the muzzle of the gun. The 

 floundering wanderer may splash and splutter, but he 

 congratulates himself on being monarch of all he surveys. 

 Then, just as he slips down into a particularly soft spot, up 

 goes a teal. One hurried shot is followed by another more 

 carefully aimed, and Querquedula crecca joins the snipe, the 

 plovers, a rail, and a pheasant already gathered. 



