How I Became a Naturalist 57 



depends upon the state of tide when the punt is taken out. 

 It should be at flood — that is, when the tide is turning to 

 run ; never at high tide or on the ebb, as it only frightens 

 them. After a good meal and something in the punt to 

 go on with, a companion to propel the punt is necessary, 

 and, in addition to the long swivel, a good double-barrel 

 cripple-stopper must go on board. One cannot wear too 

 much flannel clothing, consistently with freedom of move- 

 ment, as the nor'-easter in the estuary is keen, and 

 goes through thin clothing like a knife. Birds are scat- 

 tered in all directions on the breast of the heaving waters — 

 sheldrake and pintail, shoveller and scaup ; but brent, 

 widgeon, and mallard are more in the mind. A sweep of 

 the field-glasses reveals several bunches of widgeon drifting 

 towards the flats and sand-dunes, while a gaggle of brent 

 geese are calling as they sweep in great circles over the 

 ooze, seeking a suitable place to pitch. Further on, too, 

 are mallard in goodly numbers, while the bean geese are 

 sweeping to the stubble fields. How to get at them is the 

 rub ! The long, cold paddle is only sustained by the 

 wrought-up excitement. The wind is rising and knocking 

 the punt about ; but this is all the better, as far as fowl 

 are concerned, as it tames them. The punt is pushed on, 

 interposing every object possible between the fowlers and 

 the fowl. It is becoming dangerous enough for the punt, 

 but the gaggle of brent geese are huddled together on the 

 ooze — they do not like their feathers ruffled by that bitter 

 blast. Slowly the distance decreases from 150 to 120 

 yards ; then to 100. This is the exciting time, as 70 yards 

 is quite far enough away with a dancing punt on a rolling 

 sea. The sentinels appear to be uneasy as the range 

 lessens, and at about 75 yards the flocks raise their pinions. 

 Simultaneously the 8ft thunderer hurls lib. of heavy shot 

 among them as they open their wings, and, quick as 

 thought, the second barrel goes in the retreating re- 

 mainder, from which "droppers" fall out — thirteen 

 dead and six cripples is enough to go on with. The 

 cripple-stopper accounted for all but one wounded, which 

 escaped to sea. 

 There is a heavy surf on the bar, the gulls are driving 



