WADERS, DIVERS, AND OTHER FOWL. 



241 



after generation, they arrive with unerring regularity, 

 punctual to a week — almost to a day — at the very spots, 

 often the 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 hirds affect one route, while the old travel hy 

 another. To this point I will refer presently. 



Turning to a purely sporting point of view, the larger 

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

 birds, and by no means easy of access, even to a punt, though 



'OX THE SCAP-POINT. 



a fair number can sometimes be thus obtained, chiefly from 

 the smaller flights — the main l)odies, at the same time, being 

 often wholly unapproachable. A gunning-punt, moreover, 

 despite her slight 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 efi'ectual to 

 secure them. At full spring-tides, when the sea comes right 

 up to the sand-links, or main coast-line, the waders are 

 driven up within shot of the banks or other cover. But it 

 often happens that they will then betake themselves to the 

 open fields or the refuge of the sand-bar, rather than incur 



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