SOME GENERAL NOTES 143 



a few shots at the wader birds on the rise of the tide. If the 

 weather is open, plover and duck flighting are usually to be 

 had in the vicinity of a punting-ground. A few snipe may 

 also be met with in some near-by marsh or bog. These 

 snatches of sport with the gun are very often very enjoyable, 

 and offer a relief to the monotony of a dreary wait for favour- 

 able weather. 



For such sport, however, which is shore-shooting pure 

 and simple, the services of a good dog would be found in- 

 valuable. Although a well-trained retriever might be of great 

 assistance after a shot with the punt-gun, room in the punt is 

 so limited that to stow him would cause a great deal of incon- 

 venience. A spaniel could be got under the side deck of a 

 large punt, though really his presence would be little short of a 

 nuisance, because, after a swim or run ashore, his wet and 

 muddy hair would make the other occupants of the punt as 

 uncomfortable as himself. Few dogs can be trained to be both 

 of service and to lie sufficiently quiet to cause no bother when 

 setting or sculling to wary birds. As a rule, dogs cannot 

 withstand the excitement of a long and patient stalk in a punt, 

 and usually spoil the shot just at the critical moment. Speak- 

 ing generally, they are of no direct practical service to punters. 



To hang fowl, couple them by the neck and sling them 

 over a pole or line. In warm weather (not the punting season) 

 hang fowl tied by a leg. We believe they will then keep 

 longer. If hung by the neck in warm weather, the vent of a 

 fowl soon decomposes, and permits the entrails to drop out. 

 Where there are rats or mice, a hanger with several hooks, 

 one above the other, should be used, or these vermin will 

 destroy the birds. The hanger should be attached to a rafter 

 or the ceiling with a wire (not cord), and a tin disc slid half- 

 way down on to the wire to prevent rats or mice running down 

 and reaching the fowl. Rats or mice cannot pass the tin disc 

 (ten inches diameter) without being thrown off. 



