244 THE COMPLETE WILDFOWLER 



course, they are not waterproof. They also serve as an overall 

 for keeping slime and mud off your undercoat and boots, 

 and when dirty can be washed. Over the boots we draw on 

 a pair of loose oily knickers. These keep out splashes. For 

 headgear nothing beats a thick white woollen cap, made like an 

 iron armour helmet, i.e. covering the whole of the head except 

 the face. When not cold this head-dress can be rolled up, 

 turban fashion, and worn as an ordinary cap. If the weather is 

 very cold an ordinary cap can be worn underneath the woollen 

 cap, or, better still, a cap made from the skin of a great northern 

 diver or a great crested grebe, which may then be worn on 

 top of the woollen cap. Do not wear a sou'-wester for punt- 

 ing. It will catch at the back and tip forward when you are 

 lying down in the punt. A mackintosh and a pair of thick 

 woollen sockets to wear as gloves complete the dress. 

 The best form of "mack" for punting is one made of white 

 waterproof material, after the style of a bicycle cape, only 

 short arm-pieces are added. These latter terminate with elastic 

 cuffs. Do not use a heavy article of this kind. They are 

 things seldom worn ; most punters prefer to get wet sooner 

 than bother with them. Gloves of the kind here mentioned are 

 easily slipped on and off, and they are very warm and comfort- 

 ing on a really cold day. Should a brisk bit of sport occur 

 they are for the time best discarded, as one can do little more 

 than row or pole the punt in them. 



Referring to the question of long boots, these may be 

 either of leather or rubber. The leather boots are, without 

 doubt, the best. They last longer and stand rough usage 

 better. Proper leather punting boots should be made thin up 

 the legs, the foot portion stouter. Do not have your leather 

 punting boots lined with anything. Lining in them soon tears 

 and becomes a bother. Lining is rather a drawback even in 

 rubber boots, though it may be unavoidable. Straps under the 

 instep and round the ankles assist to keep long boots on, especi- 



