CHAPTER XXXII 



WADERS 



To the coast-fowler a source of interest is ever present in 

 the variety of sea-game. These include, moreover, many 

 of nature's most graceful designs, beautiful both as regards 

 form and plumage. The wild-geese, ducks, and swans 

 have already been surveyed ; but there remain, besides, 

 the weird-looking divers and quaint forms such as 

 grebes, auks, and all the multitude of sea-fowl that falls 

 outside the definition of "game"; while, lastly, there is 

 that varied and most graceful order of all, the wading- 

 birds. These combine both qualities, attractive equally 

 to the naturalist and to the wildfowler. 



In the stern practice of wildfowling afloat, it is, unfor- 

 tunately, impossible to assume at once the dual character 

 of sportsman and naturalist — at least as regards the 

 securing of specimens. One character or the other must 

 be predominant ; or failure and disappointment will 

 result from an attempt to sit on two stools. A first 

 essential of successful fowling is quiet. Cruise about 

 unseen and unheard : disturb nothing- — not even a gull : 

 and never fire a shot till you have at length within your 

 grasp, that grand opportunity that for hours, possibly 

 for days, you have been manoeuvring to secure. 



From a purely ornithological point of view, this is a 



