AITENDIX. 
393 
came to me yesterday full of an account of a “ beautiful bird like a 
Plover,” which he saw at Haroldswick on Sunday last. He very 
accurately described a Sand Grouse; so there can be no mistake 
about it. He never knew before that there was such a bird in 
existence. Another appears to have been seen in Ealta about the 
same time. 
1053. There are plenty of Eavens to be seen about. Two flew 
over me this morning, and I shot one of them. 
1054-5. Along shore there are plenty of Snipe to be met with, 
feeding among drift-weed by the water’s edge. There is also a 
flock of Einged Plovers, and among them a few Stints. 
1056. I saw three Mergansers near the shore, but they swam far 
out to sea ; and although I hid among the rocks for nearly an hour, 
the suspicious birds seemed to know I was there, and would not 
venture within three hundred yards of my hiding-place. 
1057. There are still as many Fieldfares as ever, but fewer Black- 
birds and Eedwings. 
1058. Some Golden-crested Eeguli and some Chaffinches are still 
remaining in the garden. 
1059. This morning I saw a Shag washing and dipping. 
1060. Two Herons were feeding in the loch in front of the house 
after sunset. 
Wednesday^ Nov. 4. — Frequent showers of hail and rain ; strong 
H.E. wind. 
1061. I was again after the Sand Grouse this morning, but saw 
nothing of it until about noon, when it appeared in the old field 
again, and once more got away without giving me the chance of a 
shot. At last, when, according to custom, I approached the field to 
see if the bird had returned, I heard its notes behind me, and 
immediately stooping down, I saw it fly high above my head, and 
settle near the turnips, this time apparently rather closer to the dyke 
than before, and therefore most probably within shot. I now deter- 
mined to neglect no precaution, and sheltering the gun from the rain 
as well as I could, put on fresh caps, with a grain or two of dry powder 
in each, and then commenced crawling round the dykes, — rather a 
long job, and a wet one too, for the rain had been very heavy in 
the night. When I had reached the desired spot, I cautiously 
raised my head, pushing the gun first, but not a living thing was 
