152 THE COMPLETE WILDFOWLER 



We figure a gun-hanger. A pair of these are necessary 

 for each gun. They will last a lifetime if made of yellow 

 brass or copper. If of forged iron, they should be well 

 galvanised and then painted. As these hangers are adjustable 

 they supersede fixed hooks. These latter are not at all 

 advisable. 



Mud-boards cannot be omitted from the list of punters' 

 tools. Although dangerous things to the inexperienced, they 

 are ever useful for assisting the fowler to gather fowl on ooze 

 where he scarcely dare venture to step without them. It must 

 not be supposed, however, that the punter is able to walk on 

 all soft places, simply because he has boards. Some mud is 

 too soft for him, especially that known at many parts of our 

 islands, and called locally "new warp" or "blather." Rotten 

 ooze and soft clay whereon grows "zos "^ (the wrack-grass or 

 widgeon-weed) can generally be easily walked with boards. We 

 quite believe, however, it would be found that one could walk 

 on these places without boards, though, no doubt, with greater 

 exertion and bodily risk. The only advice relative to the art 

 of walking on mud with mud-boards is, keep the feet well 

 apart. The more one flounders along, the better. After the 

 knack of "floundering" along has been acquired, nothing 

 more is needed. To attempt a graceful pose in mud-shoes is 

 never advisable, and, no matter how one proceeds, be glad 

 you can get along, for it is when you stick that graceful poses 

 occur ! In the case of a stick, we advise to lie flat, if possible, 

 and crawl out. Failing this, assistance is of absolute necessity, 

 or results will most surely be fatal. Prevention is better than 

 cure. Keep off" treacherous spots and regard them as "holy 

 terrors." Duck are of no value compared with a human life. 



Mud-pattens are made square, oblong, and oval, according 

 to the ideas of the punter ; yet they are all for the one and 

 same purpose. Our sketch shows what is said to be an im- 



' Zosiera marina. 



