SOME ILLUSTRATIVE EXPERIENCES 123 



disturbed, they will remain until the tide begins to ebb. A few 

 smaller lots of curlews, when the water has risen nearer to the 

 hut, just pass out of shot, and so intent are they on reaching 

 their up-river grounds that the "call" fails to attract them. 

 A wavering line on the horizon denotes the distant approach 

 of a flock of shore-birds. They are coming nicely, and the 

 call brings them closer in. A shot, and two birds are down, 

 which prove to be godwits, and the old retriever soon splashes 

 into the water, fetching both at once. Seated quietly, and on 

 the look out in the direction birds are expected, two curlews 

 suddenly appear, well within range, from behind. A sharp 

 turn and a quick shot brings one down ; the other is not fired 

 at. Now, these two curlews had just come from the fields, 

 where they spend the day ; thus their reverse movements are 

 accounted for. 



The sun is now nearly dipping the horizon, the sky is 

 clear, and the tide has nearly flowed. Half an hour later and 

 the curlews will be on the return flight. Flock after flock 

 comes into sight, and the shooter has only to deal rightly with 

 them. A low call, and they sail towards him ; a puff of smoke, 

 and a crumpled-up bird, followed by a scattering of the flock 

 and a second bird tumbling back, shows that the shooter is in 

 form as well as in luck. This method may be repeated until 

 darkness sets in and prevents further shooting, when man and 

 dog are fairly tired. It has been a splendid tide for curlews, 

 everything in our favour. Twenty-eight curlews and two 

 godwits is the result of the evening's sport, and, with the 

 exception of one curlew and two godwits, all have been shot 

 after sunset. 



To shoot curlews with a punt gun is a more difficult matter, 

 unless the surroundings are very suitable. Personally, I have 

 never had much success in shooting curlews afloat ; indeed, my 

 best shot only resulted in nine gathered. I have known, how- 

 ever, of twenty being shot at one time by a professional, whose 



