172 SHOOTING THE GOOSE 



Owing to their strictly marine habits, brent natu- 

 rally afford the best sport to the punt-gunner, and in 

 his trim little gunboat he may follow them day by 

 day in their various haunts with some hope of 

 success. On the vast expanse of mudflats and open 

 water, where they feed and rest, they occupy a posi- 

 tion of great tactical value for defeating the punt- 

 gunner's aims and ambitions, more especially when 

 his movements have to be carried out within full 

 view of their keen eyes. For days together, perhaps, 

 these wary birds will scarcely allow a punt to approach 

 within a quarter of a mile of them. Then suddenly 

 some startling and unaccountable change takes place 

 in their demeanour, although seemingly the conditions 

 are precisely similar, and they will allow him to steal 

 close up within range of them. There is, indeed, no 

 rule or method of reckoning to guide the fowler to 

 the successful accomplishment of his task ; but, since 

 there always exists the possibility of obtaining a shot 

 even when prospects appear most hopeless, the gunner 

 need never feel discouraged by a series of failures. 



Experience convinces me that a small low-lying 

 punt which shows but little of her sides above water 

 is better adapted for the work than a bigger one, 

 which sits high on the water ; and, when a gentle 

 breeze ruffles the surface, the outlines of a low-lying 



