In the [larger drawing], I have given the appearance of the country and of the atmosphere at this season, and a duck-shooter with his gun near his hut, on the look out for coming flocks; but I fear wood engraving, excellent as it is for most purposes, will fall very short of the capability of engraving on copper to convey a correct idea of the romantic effect of the commingling cloud, mist, and sunshine, I have endeavoured to represent in this delightful part of France. Such as it is, it is at your service to do with as you please.
For myself, though for the sake of variety, I have now and then crept into a fowler’s hut, and shot in ambuscade, I prefer open warfare, and I assure you I have had capital sport. That you may be acquainted with some of these wild-fowl, I will just mention the birds I have shot here within the last three weeks, beginning with the godwit; their names in French are from my recollection of Buffon.
- The Godwit.
- Common Godwit, la grand barge.
- Red Godwit, la barge rousse.
- Cinereous Godwit, (Bewick).
- Cambridge Godwit, (Latham).
- Green-shanked Godwit, la barge variée.
- Red-legged Godwit, le chevalier rouge.
- Redshank, le chevalier aux pieds rouges.
- Sandpipers.
- Ruffs and Reeves, le combattant.
- Green Sandpiper, le bécasseau, ou cul-blanc.
- Common Sandpiper, la guignette.
- Brown Sandpiper, (Bewick.)
- Dunlin, la brunette.
- Ox-eye, l’alouette de mer.
- Little Stint, la petite alouette de mer, (Brisson) &c. &c.
- Curlews.
- Curlew, la courles.
- Whimbiel, le petite courles.
- Heron.
- Common, le heron hupe.
- Bittern, le butor.
- Little Bittern, le blongois.
- Ducks.
- The common Wild Duck, le canard sauvage.
- Gadwell, or Gray, le chipeau.
- Widgeon, le canard siffleur.
- Pochard, penelope, le millovin.
- Pintail, le canard à longue queue.
- Golden-eye, le garrot.
- Morillon, le morillon.
- Tufted Duck, le petit morillon. (Brisson.)
- Gargany, la sarcelle.
- Teal, la petite sarcelle.
If you were here you should have a “gentleman’s recreation,” of the most delightful kind. Your propensity to look for “old masters,” would turn into looking out for prime birds. The spotted red-shanks, or barkers, as they are sometimes called, would be fine fellows for you, who are fond of achieving difficulties. They come in small flocks, skimming about the different ponds into which they run to the height of the body, picking up insects from the bottom, and looking as if they had no legs. They are excessively wary, and above all, the most difficult to get near. Confound all “black letter” say I, if it keeps a man from such delightful scenes as I have enjoyed every hour since I came here; as to picture-loving—come and see these pictures which never tire by looking at. I like a good picture though myself, and shall pick up some prints at Paris to put with my others. You may be certain therefore of my collecting something for you, after the birds have left, especially wood cuts. I shall accomplish what I can in the scrap and story-book way, which is not quite in my line, yet I think I know what you mean. In my next you shall have something about lark-shooting, which, in England, is nothing compared with what the north of France affords.
I am, &c.
J. J. H.
FLORAL DIRECTORY.
White Cedar. Cupressus thyoides.
Dedicated to St. Olympias.