228 REMIXISCEXCES OF A SPOETSMAjS'. 



account to show yourself by moving, and not to ask 

 questions of your man as to distance, &c. Now, as to 

 the distance for firing, the novice should rely on the 

 opinion of his attendant, whom we will suppose to be a 

 man well skilled in this art, as shooting on the water is 

 very deceptive, and who should, by previous arrange- 

 ment, give him the signal to fire, either by touching 

 him gently with his hand or foot. ' Care should be 

 taken to approach the birds when feeding on the ground 

 ebb — that is, when the tide first leaves the ground; as 

 their attention is naturally taken up with it alone. A 

 breeze of wind is indispensable, as it drowns any noise 

 occasioned by the propelling of the punt, and it also 

 renders her less easily discerned. I may now mention 

 that all fowl are more easily approached if the gunner 

 should be fortunate enough to get a high bank or clump 

 of trees at his back, "with the wind as before stated ; he 

 can then hardly fail to make a heavy shot. 



With respect to the habits of wild fowl in general, 

 all the geese tribe feed by day only. Widgeon, 

 teal, mallard, pintail, &c., feed both by day and 

 night on the tide. When the sea is quite smooth, 

 you may get as close to them as you may feel in- 

 clined. Widgeon and mallard are not easily ap- 

 proached by day, except in very severe weather, but 

 on a moonlight or bright starlight night you may readily 

 distinguish them on the feeding ground, as also by the 

 sharp shrill note of the cock and the deep " purrs " of 

 the hen widgeon. In this sort of shooting much 

 patience is required to ensure success. In the expedi- 

 tion you must also consult the weather, tide, and moon, 

 and it is rare that all these unite to assist the sportsman 

 in his undertaking. The wild swan is seldom seen in these 



