WILD-FOWLING AFLOAT BY NIGHT 191 



were allowed to proceed on our way to discuss the 

 unhappy episode at our leisure. 



Comparatively few amateur fowlers punt by night, 

 and, indeed, the pursuit is not uncommonly regarded 

 by the inexperienced as a bitterly cold amusement 

 which you are not justified in following unless you 

 are blessed with a skin like a rhinoceros and the 

 constitution of a Polar bear. Popular fallacies die 

 hard ; but I am not aware that night punting is in any 

 way more arduous than other forms of sport which 

 necessitate the relinquishment of personal comforts, 

 and the submission to a certain amount of incon- 

 venience and privation. A man who is physically 

 sound and robust, and suitably clad for the work, will 

 find in night punting a most exciting diversion when 

 wild-fowl are abundant. There is, moreover, a weird 

 and romantic side to these midnight wanderings. The 

 feeling that you are alone with Nature in one of her 

 most beautiful and impressive moods, the inspiriting 

 notes of the various kinds of fowl, which are the only 

 sounds that break the stillness of the night, and the 

 opportunities which you have for prying into their 

 secrets, and watching them, all unconscious of your 

 presence as they paddle about, and splash, and fight, 

 within, perhaps, a few yards of the punt, are all 

 attractive features of the sport. On the other hand, 



