PUNTING BY DAYLIGHT. 145 



the number the better the cliance of g-etting near them. The best 

 way would seem to be then, on such an occasion, to He clown and 

 punt in the usual way, getting- as close to them as possible, and 

 working- in their direction with the paddles until they actually take 

 wing. There is then ample time and opportunity for an active man 

 to raise himself quickly on his knees, seize the shoulder-gun, and kill 

 a pair with certainty. I have shot many pairs, and single birds, of 

 the web-footed species in this manner. 



During windy weather, and when the birds are very unsettled and 

 unapproachable, I have sometimes succeeded, by way of last resource, 

 by lying down and allowing- the punt to drive from windward to 

 leeward, towards the birds ; but this cannot be done unless the punt 

 is furnished with a rudder and yoke lines : the latter must be of 

 sufficient length to reach the hands of the punter as he lies prostrate 

 in the boat. 



It not unfrequently happens that two or more punters are attracted 

 to the same spot; especially when a large flight of wild-fowl 

 is collected in one particular place upon the ooze, and the punters 

 are awaiting the flow of tide, so that they may be able to get at 

 them with their punts, just as the water reaches the birds' legs ; 

 then, as is usual in such cases, the two or three punters proceed in 

 company, as close as they can; and, according to the rules of punting, 

 it matters not who was first there, since if there be more birds than can 

 be killed with one gun at a shot, the others have a right to join in the 

 attempt, and share the success. On such an event, it is always agreed 

 between them, before they commence operations, as to who shall give 

 the signal for firing, which usually consists of two words — " Ready !" 

 and " Fire !" The moment the first word is uttered, fingers must 

 be put to the trigger ; and at the utterance of the second, which 

 should follow after a moment's pause, triggers must be pulled. 

 When " setting" to birds side by side with other punters, care should 

 be taken to keep the punts as level and regular as possible, in line 

 with the objects ahead — never allowing the punt to swerve from her 

 course, but constantly pointing '' right ahead," with the gun bearing- 

 straight upon the birds : the punter is then ready for any emergency 

 should they take wing, and it become necessary to tip the gun and 

 take a flying shot. 



It is always preferable, by daylight, for a single punter to approach 

 birds ; it being very seldom that two or more in company succeed, 

 unless the weather is very sharp. But at night it is better for punters 



u 



