CHAPTER XXIII 



WILDFOWL OF THE NORTH-EAST COAST 



Their Haunts and Habits 



In its natural conformation the north-east coast is but ill 

 adapted to the requirements of wildfowl. Geographically, 

 no doubt, it forms the objective point of the trans-oceanic 

 journeys of a proportion of those migratory hosts from 

 northern Europe and Asia which, every autumn, direct 

 their flight upon our islands. Great numbers of these 

 certainly "make the land" within the limits so defined; 

 but there is little attraction to induce them to remain 

 here. They are aware, or soon discover, the deficiency 

 of resorts congenial to their tastes ; and, after brief periods 

 of rest, move on to localities more suited to their require- 

 ments. These casual visits, or " through-transits," of wild- 

 fowl are of but little value to the fowler, since they occur 

 irregularly, and without calculable or presumptive fixity 

 of date : there being no " North-Sea Bradshaw" available 

 to disclose their probable arrivals or departures. Hence 

 the pursuit of wildfowling in the north-east is limited to 

 a few enthusiasts, and is carried on more as a matter of 

 local convenience than otherwise — it is, in fact, pursued 

 rather in spite of disadvantages than by reason of any 

 special facilities which this coast affords. 



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