MOOR-HEN SHOOTING 255 



In some parts of the country where moor-hens 

 are plentiful, it is customary to shoot them, the 

 time of year most suitable for this kind of sport 

 being the latter part of August. The following 

 is the system adopted : Two gunners, one at 

 either end of the boat, proceed up-stream in a 

 large flat-bottomed punt, similar to the kind of 

 boats frequently used on the Thames and rivers 

 of a like character, a team of spaniels being used 

 to beat the rushes on either side of the river. 

 The services of a skilful punter are essential, 

 especially if the current is at all rapid. The birds 

 are mostly shot on the wing, though they frequently 

 clive, remaining under water for a considerable 

 time, now and again protruding the tips of their 

 bills to take air. It requires a quick eye to detect 

 the bubble on these occasions, as it is very insig- 

 nificant. 



Many birds are caught by the dogs, and 

 the bag at the end of the day is often a heavy 

 one. It is not sport of a very exalted order, as 

 a moor-hen on the wing, even at its best pace, 

 offers but a very easy mark. When killed at this 

 time of year, moor-hens are excellent for the table ; 

 but they should be skinned soon after being killed, 

 placed in cold salt-water for some twelve hours, 

 and roasted. 



I hope I may be exonerated from any apparent 

 inconsistency in thus referring to the destruction 

 of a bird whose preservation I have been previ- 

 ously advocating. I declaim against moor-hens 



