SOME GENERAL NOTES 145 



of March ; but, for the sake of the few wild ducks which breed 

 with us, the fowlers have to sacrifice being allowed to shoot 

 during the time foreign visiting fowl are here in thousands 

 — probably their strongest numbers. In Lincolnshire the 

 shooting season for wildfowl used to expire on March 15. 

 A further appeal about a year ago by local fowlers to extend 

 the season failed to meet with success. Although we quite 

 agree that mallards should be protected from March i (now 

 that so many half-wild ducks exist throughout the country, 

 and breed earlier than the true wild ones), it would be well for 

 wildfowl shooters generally if the non-breeding fowl with us, 

 such as brent, grey geese, and widgeon, were unprotected 

 until April i. As far as brent and widgeon are concerned, 

 it would not make any difference to them if they were not 

 protected in the British Isles at all, for they do not breed 

 here. We refer to the large numbers. An odd pair of 

 widgeon breeding in the British Isles is no argument that 

 they are a general breeding species with us. If these fowl 

 (brent and widgeon) were not persecuted in their breeding 

 haunts, our protection might go to somewhat benefit their 

 welfare. But this cannot be said. Therefore, a reasonable 

 argument can be held that the attempt to protect brent and 

 widgeon while they are breeding (which is the sole object 

 of the Acts) results in failure, 



A passing remark might be made regarding food when 

 out punting. To be stranded for several hours without a 

 drink or a meal in cold weather is very trying and hurtful 

 to the system. We do not wish to enumerate a menu for 

 the wildfowler when afloat, but we trust he will heed our 

 final hint that a stimulant in the way of spirit should always 

 be carried, more for cases of emergency than general use, 

 and a fair allowance of nutritious food — enough to sustain 

 him for at least a dozen hours. What is not eaten can always 

 be easily brought back ; then, if unforeseen circumstances 



