50 THE BOOK OF MIGRATORY BIRDS 



3jdr. of powder and ijoz. of No. 4 shot? It will stop 

 anything, even a Hooper swan, and, as it weighs only 

 about ylb. or 81b., the weight is not excessive. It should 

 be furnished with a shoulder strap or sling, to leave the 

 hands free when birds are not near. In our opinion, the 

 only proper place to use a large shoulder-gun is from a 

 boat. As far as powders are concerned, we prefer the white 

 nitro compounds, as black powder, even if it hits harder, 

 generates so much smoke that it is a nuisance in heavy 

 weather. No shot should be without a supply of brass 

 cartridge cases. They can be charged several times, do 

 not stick or jam in the gun, and hit much harder than 

 cardboard cases. 



A day with duck properly carried through is not only an 

 exciting but a very arduous amusement. Of course, it 

 depends upon the state of tide when the punt is taken out. 

 It should be at flood that is, when the tide is turning to 

 run ; never at high tide or on the ebb, as it only frightens 

 them. After a good meal and something in the punt to 

 go on with, a companion to propel the punt is necessary, 

 and, in addition to the long swivel, a good double-barrel 

 cripple-stopper must go on board. One cannot wear too 

 much flannel clothing, consistently with freedom of move- 

 ment, as the nor'-easter in the estuary is keen, and 

 goes through thin clothing like a knife. Birds are scattered 

 in all directions on the breast of the heaving waters 

 sheldrake and pintail, shoveller and scaup; but brent, 

 wigeon, and mallard are more in the mind. A sweep of 

 the field-glasses reveals several bunches of wigeon drifting 

 towards the flats and sand-dunes, while a gaggle of brent 

 geese are calling as they sweep in great circles over the 

 ooze, seeking a suitable place to pitch. Further on, too, 

 are mallard in goodly numbers, while the bean geese are 

 sweeping to the stubble fields. How to get at them is the 

 rub ! The long, cold paddle is only sustained by the 

 wrought-up excitement. The wind is rising and knocking 

 the punt about; but this is all the better, as far as fowl 

 are concerned, as it tames them. The punt is pushed on, 



