CARTING TO MOORGAME. 



123 



the cart at a cautious distance {i.e., just so far off as will not 

 put them up) a position may often be attained, whence an 

 advantage is secured for a stalk. The birds will then con- 

 tinue to watch the harmless cart, while the gunner, having 

 slipped away from its side, is creeping on them under shelter 

 of a gully or dip in the ground — even a patch of tall rushes 

 is sometimes sufficient. 



Golden Plovers are among the most erratic of birds in 

 their disposition. Some days they are so careless one can 

 walk almost openly within shot, or, wdth a cart, lead round 



RISING TO CLEAR THE DYKE. 



a pack sitting listless and plunged apparently in deepest medi- 

 tation, till one gets the greatest possible number into line. On 

 other days they will hardly remain in the same parish with a 

 human being. I remember one day vainly endeavouring to 

 outmanoeuvre a pack of about 100 on an open flowe. First we 

 tried the cart, then stalking and driving — all to no purpose. 

 Eventually I left them, and was walking away, when I heard 

 behind me a confused chorus of pipes. The whole pack were 

 wheeling past within thirty yards ! The advantage they had 

 so persistently denied to a series of efforts, they now placed 

 spontaneously in my hands, and five of their number forfeited 

 their lives to that erratic behaviour. 



None of the true wildfowl [i.e., Ducks and Geese) can be 



