PUNT FOR A 



without taking in a drop of water ; add to which, a 

 light punt may get out of danger, by being hauled 

 across the mud, when the other is obliged to " weather 

 it." I formerly observed that where nothing but the 

 shoulder had to take the gun, I should prefer my boat 

 principally built of cork, which it would be utterly 

 impossible to sink ; but now this is superseded by 

 the new plan. 



In approaching birds, the shooter, having nothing 

 else to attend to, may be constantly ready with his 

 gun ; so that, if they fly up, he can always ensure 

 being able to fire before they have risen twenty yards ; 

 while another person has only to manage the punt. 

 This he will do by a setting pole, or skulling in a 

 little crotch with a single oar, according to the depth 

 of water. As either the one or the other will be 

 under cover of the front bulwark, they are less visible 

 than working-sticks or paddles at the sides. Paddles 

 on the principle of a bird's foot, and worked inside, 

 would be desirable. I have partly contrived this, and 

 Mr. D. Egg, and Mr. Long, gunmaker * (a very good 

 workman, in Andover), have each undertaken to com- 

 plete the invention with the greatest ease. 



When you are not advancing to birds, and should 

 there be the least wind, you have only to shut up the 

 front of the bulwarks, and let the gun rest on the 

 stempiece, pointing upwards; and, for shooting in 



* While mentioning the name of Mr. Long, I must observe 

 that if I wanted a barrel bored for shooting, I would rather em- 

 ploy him than any gunmaker I know, except Joe Manton. 



