SOME ILLUSTRATIVE EXPERIENCES 123 
disturbed, they will remain until the tide begins to ebb. A few 
smaller lots of curlews, when the water has risen nearer to the 
hut, just pass out of shot, and so intent are they on reaching 
their up-river grounds that the ‘‘call” fails to attract them. 
A wavering line on the horizon denotes the distant approach 
of a flock of shore-birds. They are coming nicely, and the 
call brings them closer in. A shot, and two birds are down, 
which prove to be godwits, and the old retriever soon splashes 
into the water, fetching both at once. Seated quietly, and on 
the look out in the direction birds are expected, two curlews 
suddenly appear, well within range, from behind. A sharp 
turn and a quick shot brings one down ; the other is not fired 
at. Now, these two curlews had just come from the fields, 
where they spend the day; thus their reverse movements are 
accounted for. 
The sun is now nearly dipping the horizon, the sky is 
clear, and the tide has nearly flowed. Half an hour later and 
the curlews will be on the return flight. Flock after flock 
comes into sight, and the shooter has only to deal rightly with 
them. A low call, and they sail towards him ; a puff of smoke, 
and a crumpled-up bird, followed by a scattering of the flock 
and a second bird tumbling back, shows that the shooter is in 
form as well as in luck. This method may be repeated until 
darkness sets in and prevents further shooting, when man and 
dog are fairly tired. It has been a splendid tide for curlews, 
everything in our favour. Twenty-eight curlews and two 
godwits is the result of the evening’s sport, and, with the 
exception of one curlew and two godwits, all have been shot 
after sunset. 
To shoot curlews with a punt gun is a more difficult matter, 
unless the surroundings are very suitable. Personally, I have 
never had much success in shooting curlews afloat ; indeed, my 
best shot only resulted in nine gathered. I have known, how- 
ever, of twenty being shot at one time by a professional, whose 
