SHORE-SHOOTING 85 
nose of the cow, the head being made so as to raise for the 
purpose. Another stalking-engine is a flat carriage with a low 
screen of reeds in front. This is only workable when the 
ground is level and fairly smooth. An artificial sheep in which 
the gunner can ensconce himself is a very useful and as a rule 
successful tool of the wildfowler. For geese the latter is 
admirable, and has on several occasions within my personal 
knowledge led to the destruction of many a wily goose. For 
stalking ducks in open creeks and ponds which have not 
sufficient cover on their banks to screen from sight the 
approaching gunner, a stalking-cow is decidedly better than a 
Working the creeping-carriage. 
horse, for then a bold, straightforward rush can be made and 
a smart shot taken before the fowl realise the deceit of the 
intruder. The horse is the usual stalking-animal. I have 
seen it used most successfully on golden plover. For success- 
ful work of this kind at plover a heavy gun is essential—at 
least an 8-bore, and for preference a stout single. Few second- 
barrel shots are, as arule, obtainable, since a stalk invariably 
results in a long shot at the best. Stalking-machines are only 
to be worked with success where cattle are allowed to stray. 
On open flats and sands they are useless. The chief places 
where stalking-animals are of most service are saltings (flat 
and rough) and inland pastures and barley walks. 
On the open shore the stalking gunner has to seek the 
shelter of rocks and other prominent portions of land. If 
