WILDFOWL SHOOTING. 309 



the similitude to a storm of the rapid flying dun- 

 birds the shrill sounding pinions of the wild ducks 

 and the mournful notes of the plover., with the 

 roar of a bursting surge, and discordant screams of 

 sea-fowl. 



Flight shooting is always followed with most suc- 

 cess in very boisterous weather, provided the course 

 of the birds happens to be against the wind ; as this 

 not only obliges them to fly low, but doubles them 

 well together. You may then keep two guns em- 

 ployed faster than yourself and a servant can load 

 them. Never look up while loading; you can do 

 no good by it; and you will only put yourself in 

 a flurry ; and, perhaps, break your ramrod. If your 

 man (knowing you have no gun loaded) says, 

 " Look out, sir !" Why I had almost said knock 

 him down. 



Should the weather be clear, and the birds come 

 in high, your best means for getting a good chance 

 is to conceal yourself in a canoe, between the banks 

 of some small creek ; as they will lower their flight 

 on reaching the mud, and, in all probability, give 

 you as many fair shots as you can fire during their 

 arrival; which may continue about half an hour. 

 Be careful to shoot well forward, and, if they are 

 fifty or sixty yards above ijou, at least two or three 

 feet before their heads, with * flint, and about half 

 the distance with a detonater. 



In choosing your station, select either a bank or 

 wall, that divides the sea from detached pieces of 



