i64 THE COMPLETE WILDFOWLER 



familiar with some post or stones near by. In addition to the 

 purpose mentioned a compass is of great value in a fog. It 

 need scarcely be mentioned that a pocket barometer should 

 be a si7te qua non with the wildfowler. We have used an 

 aneroid and found it of capital service and assistance in calcu- 

 lating changes of atmospheric conditions. 



A wildfowler's flashlight is a thing not often used. From 

 a candle in a polished bucket to a powerful acetylene lamp 

 we might trace the evolution of this article. Time was when 

 a flight-shooter sat in the dark by the side of a pond where 

 ducks came, and as soon as he heard a duck splash in he 

 flashed on his feeble candle-light, in the hope of gaining a 

 glimpse of the half-bewildered duck. On very dark nights, 

 by the aid of a powerful light, some good shots have been 

 made with heavy shoulder guns, but we cannot state that any 

 success has been attained with punt and gun under such con- 

 ditions. The lamp should be of power equal to a motor-car 

 headlight. It should have a long cone (about fifteen inches) to 

 converge the rays from the light ih front of the lamp, and 

 arranged so that no stray light can be emitted from the body of 

 the lamp, and must be capable, by means of a shutter, of being 

 instantly flashed on or off. The effect on birds is wonderful. 

 They sit for a moment in bewilderment. We have yet to learn 

 whether this way of shooting birds can be classed as sport. 

 Wildfowl and waders can be located by their calls on dark nights. 



We might stray from our subject and discuss the many 

 things which are of use in the wildfowler's hut ashore or cabin 

 afloat. Most of the things used, however, are of common 

 daily experience, but let us remind shooters that these things, 

 which are of most service, are easily forgotten, yet of much in- 

 convenience if one is compelled to do without them. In the 

 hut, all chairs, tables, beds, etc., should be made to fold up 

 and take up little room when not in actual use. Pictures, 

 mirrors, and such-like things are of no service, are at most 



