300 BIRD-LIFE OF THE BORDERS 



sand-bar itself: and these flats, as the tide rises, form 

 shallow backwaters. It is to these backwaters, and to 

 the edges of the main channels, that the mallard are 

 especially fond of resorting" to rest and sleep during - the 

 day ; and here, during the flood-tide, some excellent shots 

 can now and then be obtained at these fowl, particularly 

 if the sand-bar lies remote from the quarters of the local 

 punt-gunners. Puntsmen, as a rule, confine their opera- 

 tions to the mud and ooze, and seldom trouble to "pole" 

 perhaps several miles into what appears but a useless 

 waste of sand. 



There is a perilous feature about these "water-meets" 

 that should not be overlooked, namely, the deep and 

 dangerous quicksands that fringe the tidal channels. 

 These are caused by the ceaseless churning - and swirl of 

 the sea, and are the more treacherous by reason both of 

 their constant shifting - , as well as by their smooth sur- 

 faces being indistinguishable from the solid sands that 

 surround them. 



At full spring-tides the area of sand left uncovered is of 

 course greatly reduced, and during the last quarter's flood 

 the best chances are secured by the punt-gunner. Then, 

 the ducks which have been dozing the hours away along 

 the sand-edges are set afloat, and, together with those 

 which have been resting in the channels, come driving 

 gently up on the tide, and drift, as it were passively, 

 into these backwaters. Here the fowler should be lying 

 ready, and barring accidents, is tolerably sure of a fair 

 reward. 



Considering that the mallard is one of the most 

 watchful birds in existence, the comparative ease with 

 which they can often be approached in broad daylight 

 in a gunning-punt is difficult to understand. Under 



