More about Wildfowl 89 



From the other kula also comes the sound of 

 shots as fast as a single gun can be loaded and 

 fired, "a crowded minute of glorious life." At 

 the sound of the shots the geese sheer off or 

 rise straight up in the air. But others follow 

 those in rear cry " forward," those in front 

 cry "back." But by the time eight or ten shots 

 have been fired from each kula the great host 

 has divided and passed, the clamour recedes. 

 The ranks have been broken and the scattered 

 squadrons fly wildly about, stricken and dis- 

 organised : but not yet routed. For as we 

 watch, in a few minutes it seems, somewhere 

 far to our rear, the " assembly " has sounded. 

 Eegiment after regiment wheels round and flying 

 low over the water rejoins the main column, the 

 different detachments going down into the water 

 with a succession of minor roars. By this time 

 heads have been raised to see what has been 

 done. Four geese dead, two more cripples are 

 sailing away to rejoin their comrades, if they can. 

 These will be picked up during the next drive 

 we hope. There are still duck and teal between 

 guns and beaters, so we go down and get a few 

 shots before the latter arrive. 



The toll we have taken of the many thousands 

 of geese in the drive will seem to the reader 

 absurdly small. Geese, however, nearly always 



