264 BIRDS, BEASTS, AND FISHES 



him and dust powdered rosin over his down, and then pour 

 boiling water over him, when his flesh is said " to come out 

 as white as a barn-fowl's." I have never tried this method ; 

 but I have curried him, when he's not so bad. 



II 



A Coot-Shooting on Hicklixg Broad 



Some years ago, before a "learned" judge ruled — and 

 so made himself a laughing-stock to the Hickling peasantry, 

 gunners, marshmen, and wherrymen — that the tide does 

 not ebb and flow on and off Hickling Broad, the natives, 

 though not "experts," knew it did ebb and flow; and 

 they know it now — knowing, too, that water may run 

 up a river nine hours, or run down a river for 9 + 9 

 hours, and yet the water will rise and fall; but then, to 

 a " learned " judge such things are strange. I repeat, 

 before a judge and experts found there was no tide on 

 and off Hickling Broad, the natives used to hold an annual 

 coot-shooting, for Hickling is a favourite haunt of the 

 coot, both human and feathered. Let us take a hand in 

 the sport. 



It is " Christmas-Eve morning," the broad is still open, 

 and plenty of coots are sitting on the open water, peacefully 

 as india-rubber fowl. 



For many days past every one possessing a gun of 

 ancient or modern build has been furbishing it up, oiling 

 the locks, cutting wads, and making other preparations ; 

 for a notice has been posted for some days at the water- 

 side tavern that there will be a coot-shooting on " our 

 broad" at 11.30 A.M. 



Long before the old church clock has struck eleven, 

 crowds begin to collect at the "Pleasure Boat" — all crushing 

 into the tap-room, and calling for jugs of mild — whilst carts 



