414 WILDFOWL SHOOTING BY NIGHT. 



Nevertheless of course the habits of fowl, and the 

 general principles which must be observed in their 

 chase, remain unchanged; and on all such points as 

 these Colonel Hawker's opinions are those of a master. 



Colonel Hawker for instance holds that bright star- 

 light nights are the best of all times for getting at birds, 

 just as the rising tide flows over the mud, particularly 

 if there is a slight breeze, without wind enough to 

 blacken the shallow water, and if there is a cold black 

 frost, so much the better, he says. On the other hand, 

 what is perhaps contrary to the ideas of most novices, 

 fog, snow, or hazy weather of any kind, is very bad 

 for coast shooting, as it makes everything upon the 

 water appear large and black, and causes the birds 

 to be very restless, and quick to take alarm as also 

 do very dark nights wildfowl being much on the 

 alert and very suspicious on such occasions. In dark 

 thick weather therefore, the Colonel advises every gunner 

 to remain in bed. Even in bright moonlight widgeon 

 and other birds, he considers, are easier approached 

 than on these unfavourable occasions,* provided the 

 sportsman advances upon them out of the shade. 



This latter point in all night shooting is of vital 

 importance ; whether it be at the desert drinking pool, 

 or on the shores of the restless sea, while creeping 

 up to fowl: 



"When shooting by moonlight," says the author of 

 " Shooting" (Badminton Library Series), " there is no possible 

 chance of getting near fowl save by coming in from the shade 

 towards them, that is with the moon before you, as you paddle 

 towards the birds. If you come down upon them with the 



* See Instruction to Young Sportsmen, by Lieut.-Col. Peter Hawker, 

 6th Edit. 1830, p. 335. 



