BATTERY SHOOTING. 439 



called down by an imitation of their note ; and, lower- 

 ing their flight, by erratic plunges, will swing about 

 two or three times, and, at last, come over the gunner, 

 near enough to be shot at. On the whole, however, 

 here, as in most other shooting, it is the birds which 

 come singly, or in very small groups, which afford the 

 greatest sport. A large flock of birds, shot into, are 

 thoroughly alarmed, and fly a long way before again 

 coming to the water. 



While the gunner is having his sport in the box, his 

 tender is working about, not far off, usually keeping 

 a close watch on the battery with his glasses, and also 

 on the surface of the water, prepared to recover any 

 dead birds that he may see. Usually a net is carried 

 for this purpose, by which the floating birds are lifted 

 on board, as well as a gun, to be used in killing cripples. 



Should the weather give signs of being bad, or the 

 wind breeze up unduly, the tender draws nearer and 

 nearer the battery, for, if a heavy sea springs up, the 

 gunner will need prompt assistance. 



Although the modern battery, with its canvas wings, 

 keeps down the sea far better than the old-fashioned 

 box, with wings formed of boards, still a battery will 

 not live in much of a sea-way, and, as soon as water 

 begins to come into the box, the gunner is, at least, 

 very uncomfortable, if not in danger of sinking with 

 his craft. It is not always easy for the men on board 

 the tender to judge just how the battery-man is getting 

 on, and, as the breeze increases, and the sea lifts, he is 

 anxiously watched for any signal. Should it be neces- 



