148 THE COMPLETE WILDFOWLER 



describe the magazine here figured, it would be well to im- 

 press the many important items which constitute a handy 

 article of this kind, as well as to refer to the necessity of having 

 the work in it of a suitable standard to guarantee its efficiency 

 in withstanding the rough-and-ready wear which these things 

 are subjected to. 



In the first place, all things appertaining to punting should 

 be as simple as possible. Nothing in the punter's kit requires 

 more attention in this direction than his magazine. The 

 simpler it works, the better. It cannot be too well made ; in 

 fact, a water-tight box is really what is wanted. The construc- 

 tion should be such that at a glance the fowler has all within his 

 magazine in view at once ; it can be quickly opened or shut, 

 easy of manipulation, low and flat in shape (then it may serve 

 as a chest-rest or a seat), and as water-tight as possible. Here 

 we have the chief points of a good punter's magazine. The 

 main things to avoid in a magazine for punt-shooting are 

 height, fitting sliding lids, and, above all, a cover or lid to 

 each compartment. This latter is a very bad idea, except, 

 perhaps, for use by persons who are constantly fowling. 

 Gunners who are not regularly punting are apt, and especially 

 in moments of excitement, to forget at the critical juncture 

 which compartment of his magazine contains the object im- 

 mediately required. Sliding lids, unless well attended to, are 

 almost certain to stick, through the action of the surround- 

 ing damp atmosphere which is ever attending a gunning- 

 punt. 



In our sketch we give a magazine which has served re- 

 markably well its many purposes during our exploits afloat in 

 pursuit of wildfowl. The design is original on our part. 

 Although we have tried several other kinds, including maga- 

 zines said to be inventions by good authorities on the subject, 

 yet there is none we like better in actual practice than the one 

 here depicted. Its general construction is very simple, though, 



