WILD FOWLING 



observe, that a family, who were the leaders in this way, 

 and who are by far the best launchers in Hampshire, have of 

 late been reduced to absolute distress for a livelihood.' . . . 



Mr. A. E. Knox in his Game Birds and Wild Fowl (1850) 

 has given a capital description of the expert punt gunner at 

 work : — 



' . . . . Not far from the narrow entrance to the harbour I 

 found a coastguard-man perched on the summit of a mud 

 wall, and attentively reconnoitring some distant object 

 through his spyglass. From this position he commanded 

 an extensive view of the haven which — as it was now about 

 full tide — spread like a great lake into the interior. The 

 absence of large vessels, and indeed of almost all kinds of 

 sailing craft, from this secluded spot, would at first strike a 

 stranger with surprise, but at low water the mystery would 

 be cleared up : the scene would then be entirely changed : 

 a great extent of flat mud would be left by the receding waters, 

 in the middle of which the shallow and devious channel might 

 be perceived winding like a silver thread on its way to the sea. 



' At this moment, however, the tide was at the highest, 

 and a glance into the distance was sufficient to show me the 

 object which had attracted the man's observation. Several 

 flocks of wild fowl, apparently brent geese, widgeon, scaup 

 ducks, pochards, and tufted ducks, were swimming near the 

 further side of the estuary, while in the midst of these, like a 

 naval squadron among a fleet of fishing boats, sailed a noble 

 herd of wild swans. I soon perceived that they were too far 

 from the shore to admit of my getting a shot at them, and 

 had therefore no choice but either to wait patiently in 

 expectation of some of the party separating from the main 

 body and wandering up one of the narrow creeks on the oppo- 

 site side of the harbour, where by taking a circuitous route, 

 and availing myself of any intervening object that might 

 project above the flat banks of the swamp, I might perhaps 

 succeed in stalking them, or else to proceed in search of a less 

 noble quarry. I at once chose the former alternative. As I 



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