SHOOTING THE DUCK AT SEA 29 



or another in some situation which would prove 

 a remarkably unpleasant one if he were bereft of 

 coolness and judgment. A punt is not the safest of 

 salt-water craft, weather changes are often very rapid, 

 and excitement now and again leads nearly every 

 fowler to run risks which he would not be inclined 

 to run in cold blood. ' Caution ' is a very excellent 

 motto for the fowler. 



Wild-fowling afloat may be divided into two 

 branches : the use of the single-handed and that of 

 the double-handed punt ; and punt-gunners into two 

 classes, the many who work from the shore, and the 

 few who have the time and means to cruise in a 

 shooting yacht. Needless to say the latter class has 

 many advantages over the former quarters may be 

 shifted at will ; fowl haunting feeding grounds far 

 out at sea may be watched in comfort pending the 

 arrival of a favourable time for attempting a shot. 

 The large majority of punt-gunners are limited to 

 sport in the immediate locality of their homes, or of 

 the centre they have chosen as the base for their 

 operations. Of this majority, the many rely solely 

 on their punts ; the few make use of what is 

 generally known as a following boat a rowing boat 

 of light draught which tows the punt, and in which 

 the gunner and his man sail or row in search of 



