304 



BIRD-LIFE OF THE BORDERS 



since their first spring - carries them clear of the trajectory 

 of a punt-g"un. The choice of the precise moment to fire 

 is, therefore, a fine point : by pulling the moment a long- 

 range has been attained, a couple or two may possibly 

 be secured at each shot ; but this is an unsportsmanlike 

 proceeding - . On the other extreme, an undue anxiety 



~- ~t-=- 28?^ — lies?- ^~~, = - __= — : _ 



Mallard Springing to Shot — Daybreak. 



to grasp the "horn of plenty" may result in the pack 

 springing unscathed, when within fair shot. Mallard 

 and wigeon (but never teal) will sometimes give notice 

 of their intention to spring by heading the wind and 

 raising their heads. Of course, on such timely intimation 

 the charge is despatched at once ; but, in default of any 

 such notice, it is no easy matter to correctly judge the 

 distance while lying flat, and to seize the precise moment 



