48 THE COMPLETE WILDFOWLER 



surprised at the resultant sales if they turned out a really good 



article. Any experienced wildfowler could explain exactly 



what was wanted, and could suggfest several special features 



which could be easily carried out. I hope that these remarks 



may stimulate makers who may not have thought of this. 



There are many dangers in wildfowling from 



WILD- wind, tide, and treacherous mud-flats. But the 

 FOWLING , J. ,, . . , , , r 



CLOTHES §freatest dangers or all arise from the lack of 



proper and sufficient clothing. It takes a strong 



man to be a successful fowler to begin with, and pneumonia, 



rheumatic fever, and bronchitis have claimed more victims 



than sportsmen ever hear of. 



All wildfowling clothing should be of a nondescript brown 

 or khaki colour. Black and white are far too conspicuous, 

 and the keen eyes of the quarry detect them from enormous 

 distances. Wool should always, under all circumstances, be 

 worn next the skin. Almost every sportsman, while agreeing 

 upon certain essentials, has his own fancy in wildfowling cos- 

 tume. I find a grey sweater with a high collar an excellent thing 

 worn over a wool vest, a flannel shirt and a waistcoat. With 

 one's cartridge bandolier round one's waist (for shore-shooting) 

 and an ordinary jacket, one is sufficiently protected from most 

 weather, though a loose Burberry "slip-on," with sleeves and 

 shoulders especially cut for shooting, is often an excellent thing. 



Probably the most complete study of fowling costume has 

 been made by Mr. Fielding Harmer. It is the result of 

 forty years' careful experiment. I quote an account of it 

 from that delightful book of that first-class sportsman, Mr. 

 Nicholas Everitt — Broadland Sport — a book, by the way, that 

 every fowler ought to possess. "The underclothing is all 

 flannel, as recommended by most authorities on gunning ; 

 but trousers of Bedford cord, with seat extra strengthened, 

 roomy, and lined with wash-leather. Fisherman's guernsey 

 and coat or waistcoat, according to fancy. For the feet — the 



