178 BITTEIIN. 



directions shall be given in another part of the work, 

 as my young readers will be able to understand them 

 better, after they have received a few lessons in shoot- 

 ing from a punt. The following alphabet, therefore, 

 is chiefly intended as a directory for the more common 

 mode of shooting. 



In getting at all wild birds, approach them cir- 

 cuitously, instead of going directly up to them ; and 

 avoid looking full at them until you have got within 

 shot, or till they shall, if flying, have come sufficiently 

 close for you to fire. If you see a wild bird, when 

 unprepared for him, either continue your course 

 without looking at him ; or instantly retreat, and he 

 may then probably sit quiet till you can advance with 

 caution on him a second time. 



If a valuable bird lies wounded, always go up to 

 him prepared to shoot, lest he should rise again, and 

 make his escape. 



BITTERNS. 



To know if there are any in the fens, send out in 

 the evening, when they may be seen on the wing, 

 and heard making a hollow booming noise. The 

 following day you may beat for them, with dogs, that 

 will either point them, or hunt near enough to spring 

 them in shot; as they will lie so close among the 

 rushes, as to be sometimes nearly trod on before they 

 will rise. If you wing a bittern, be careful that he 

 does not strike you with his beak. 



There are two sorts of Bittern; the COMMON one, otherwise 



