SHORE-SHOOTING 85 



nose of the cow, the head beingf made so as to raise for the 

 purpose. Another stalking-engine is a flat carriage with a low 

 screen of reeds in front. This is only workable when the 

 ground is level and fairly smooth. An artificial sheep in which 

 the gunner can ensconce himself is a very useful and as a rule 

 successful tool of the wildfowler. For geese the latter is 

 admirable, and has on several occasions within my personal 

 knowledge led to the destruction of many a wily goose. For 

 stalking ducks in open creeks and ponds which have not 

 sufficient cover on their banks to screen from sight the 

 approaching gunner, a stalking-cow is decidedly better than a 



Working- the creeping-carriage. 



horse, for then a bold, straightforward rush can be made and 

 a smart shot taken before the fowl realise the deceit of the 

 intruder. The horse is the usual stalking-animal. I have 

 seen it used most successfully on golden plover. For success- 

 ful work of this kind at plover a heavy gun is essential — at 

 least an 8-bore, and for preference a stout single. Few second- 

 barrel shots are, as a rule, obtainable, since a stalk invariably 

 results in a long shot at the best. Stalking-machines are only 

 to be worked with success where cattle are allowed to stray. 

 On open flats and sands they are useless. The chief places 

 where stalking-animals are of most service are saltings (flat 

 and rough) and inland pastures and barley walks. 



On the open shore the stalking gunner has to seek the 

 shelter of rocks and other prominent portions of land. If 



