go THE COMPLETE WILDFOWLER 
practice, by knowing when and how the birds will act, is 
indeed a great one. 
As has been hinted, we here see that in noting carefully by 
observation the conditions under which shore-birds are likely 
to be attracted, we gain half the battle in the art of calling. 
The expert caller never fails in uttering exactly the tones 
which will attract his birds, but often his calculations of prob- 
ably suitable conditions are frustrated. It is absolutely impos- 
sible to teach anyone all the fine details regarding circumstances 
which affect shore-bird calling, unless long experience is 
coupled with the lessons. The rough outlines may be briefly 
touched upon, but to enter into every item (which in various 
quarters are usually slightly different) would be an impossible 
task. Shore-birds do not take the call well, as a rule, on their 
feeding grounds. These latter are too extensive, and sight 
here (except in pitch darkness) is the prevailing faculty. High 
tide, when all the shore-birds are floated off their legs and 
compelled either to fly at sea or seek out resting grounds near 
high-water mark, is always a good time, but best of all is 
towards night. Spring tides which flow high and leave but 
little suitable ground for the birds to rest on are the best tides ; 
in fact, at many places where the foreshores are extensive such 
tides are alone suitable. Seek the spots where the birds come 
to rest. If the birds are too wary to alight by day (as they 
become at some places), try them when the tide flows an hour 
before dark. Then, of all times, may the good caller enjoy 
some sport. It must be understood, however, that the shooting 
is only got by calling, and then only when the right time 
occurs. Failure, it may also be added, might seem apparent 
with even the expert caller, when the birds, flock after flock, 
pass him just out of range. He, however, persistently calls, 
well knowing that when the light of day a little further departs, 
his quarry will increase in boldness and give him the much- 
longed-for brisk half-hour, in which time he can easily secure 
