242 THE COMPLETE WILDFOWLER 



moon shines bright and clear, and not a breath of wind stirs 

 the air, and the term "light as day" can apply. On such 

 nights the fowl can see you and keep moving away just as you 

 nearly get within range. At odd times a clear, moonlit night 

 will answer, if your approach can be concealed from the sight 

 of the birds by an intervening bank, yet not, as a rule, 

 otherwise. Dark nights are no-sport nights for the amateur 

 punter. They may do for the fowl-shooter, but not for the 

 sportsman. Shots fired at sound in darkness, no doubt may 

 kill fowl : yet how many birds are gathered from such shots ? 

 About two birds for every dozen brought down is about the 

 mark. Just as "clear nights" can be likened to "butterfly 

 days," so can dark nights be likened to "foggy days," 

 — i.e., as far as any likelihood of sport is concerned. 



Before concluding these brief remarks on punt-shooting 

 weather we must not omit to state that little has been said 

 about windy weather and of severe cold accompanied by 

 snow. Windy weather always has a tendency, more or less, 

 to drive wildfowl to sheltered quarters, no matter from which 

 direction the wind may blow. The game ducks (widgeon, 

 mallard, etc.) soon get tired or restless when being buffeted 

 about at sea or on large open waters. They will sometimes 

 seek out sheltered places sooner than ride out on what one 

 would think was, practically speaking, a smooth sea for ducks. 

 This, however, is not so strongly evidenced in birds much 

 shot at, for at some spots the ducks will face very rough water 

 and go down in it to gain what rest they can, sooner than risk 

 their lives by going where they would be more comfortable, 

 yet in imminent danger. The main drawback to windy 

 weather for punting is that, though the punt might stand 

 a little "dirty" water, she is well-nigh uncontrollable when in 

 a " lippery seaway " of any note. Of course, there need not 

 be much sea on to swamp a gunning-punt, and the following 

 of wildfowl in a punt during windy weather is not a wise plan. 



