WADERS 



393 



identical creeks, streams, or marshes to which, for untold 

 years, their progenitors have also steered their course. 

 Some species take distinct routes' — like the Cunard liners 

 — for their northward and for the southward journeys ; 

 of others the young birds affect one route, while the old 

 travel by another. These points are set out in more 

 specific detail in the succeeding chapter. 



Turning to a purely sporting point of view, the larger 

 waders, even in early autumn, are wild and watchful, by 



Godwit, Adult — Winter. 



no means easy of access, even to a punt, though a fair 

 number can sometimes be thus obtained, chiefly from the 

 smaller flights- — the main bodies, at the same time, being 

 often wholly unapproachable. A gunning-punt, moreover, 

 despite her light draft, is but ill-adapted for the pursuit 

 of this class of sea-game, so extremely flat are their 

 favourite resorts. There are two methods which are 

 more effectual to secure them. At full spring-tides, when 

 the sea comes right up to the sand-links or main coast- 



