NIGHT-PUNTING. 165 



The clanging" noises constantly made by large numbers of wild-fowl, 

 at niglit, are very apt to lead a tyro-punter to suppose himself within 

 shot, and induce him to fire out of range. Experience, however, will 

 soon remedy this common error. 



The punter should always bear in mind that wild-fowl, whether 

 sleeping or feeding, have sentinels watching ; and, in waking, they 

 change places: "Vigilias ordinant et in vigilando vices mutat."* 

 So that the slightest detection of noise or movement by an enemy, is 

 instantly communicated to all the others. 



There is no better time for night-punting than clear moonligh 

 nights, with a gentle breeze ; provided it blows in such a direction as 

 to enable the punter to face both moon and wind, on " setting" to 

 birds. 



If there be ever so little moonlight, it will be found of great 

 assistance to the punter. He can then find his birds the more 

 readily, on approaching within hearing of their clamours, by bringing 

 his punt to bear upon the gleam of light thrown across the water by 

 the moon ; and if at any time he hears birds on the outer, or wrong, 

 side of the moon (as he frequently will), he should not be tempted to 

 set towards them, but must row in a contrary direction, and work 

 his course so as to bring them into the proper light, between the 

 punt and moon ; and this must be done by the punter who hopes for 

 success, though it may occupy half-an-hour's rowing to accomplish. 

 It is so utterly useless to attempt setting up to birds in any other 

 manner, that the punter had better return home, and go to bed, if too 

 lazy or careless to take the trouble to row the round-about course 

 necessary for bringing them into bearing with the moonlight. 



For this diversion widgeon aiford the best sport of all. Wild- 

 ducks, on the contrary, seek the land, and creep as closely in-shore 

 as the tide will carry them, so as to render their position almost im- 

 penetrable to the punter : it then becomes necessary to be guided by 

 sounds and experience, and to shoot by guess. 



There is no better opportunity for kiUing wild-fowl, whether in large 

 companies or small, than when on their " last legs," as it is termed 

 — i. e., when the flowing tide has covered with water every particle 

 of the ooze, except, perhaps, a small mound, around which they 

 crowd and cringe, delaying to take wing until fairly lifted from their 

 legs by the tide. Such are among the most desirable opportunities 



* Glantvilla. 



