General tnstructtons 



FOR 



SEA COAST WILDFOWL SHOOTING, WHEN 

 AFLOAT. 



I SHALL now more briefly explain my reasons for 

 entering into the minutiae of wildfowl shooting. It 

 is very rare to meet a gentleman, that can, or a good 

 professional gunner that will, give any information 

 on the subject. The art is, therefore, the least under- 

 stood of any sport in existence. No man, who had a 

 large gun, and could earn five pounds in a day, or 

 night, would be bored with a gentleman for the sake 

 of his five shillings ; and therefore the only man 

 likely to be hired, at a good time for this sport, is 

 some boatman, who has little to recommend him 

 beyond a local knowledge of the harbour ; and who 

 therefore requires some one to direct him how to 

 manoeuvre the birds. 



In following wildfowl, it is easier to get within 

 twenty yards of them by going to leeward, than a 

 hundred and fifty if directly to windward, so very 

 acute is their sense of smelling. 



The best time, therefore, to have sport with a 



