They had grown somewhat wild from the increased number of hunters, yet, by marking well the place where a flock lighted, I could, by taking advantage of gullies or the shape of the ground, creep up within range; and, giving one barrel on the ground, and the other as they rose, I have secured as many as nine at one discharge.

Colonel Mason on one occasion killed eleven geese by one discharge of small shot.

The seasons in California are well marked.

About October and November the rains begin, and the whole country, plains and mountains, becomes covered with a bright-green grass, with endless flowers.

The intervals between the rains give the finest weather possible.