WILD-FOWLING AFLOAT BY NIGHT 199 



too, of some kind, on a clear, bright night, adds 

 materially to your chance of success; and in this 

 respect I have often found that the dark shore-line, 

 hills, rocks, mud-banks, or even a cloud low down- 

 on the horizon, have rendered some assistance when 

 stalking fowl in the open. 



Tide, wind, and other conditions being in your 

 favour, the best time to seek for a shot by moonlight 

 is undoubtedly when the moon rises a little before mid- 

 night, her phase being then near the last quarter. In 

 the path of light you will be able to distinguish birds 

 on the glistening shallows, and the punt will be more in 

 shade than under a full or three-quarter moon. Many 

 times in the course of a long punting career I have 

 likewise obtained sport under a full or three-quarter 

 moon which was veiled in clouds. The light afforded 

 by that luminary on cloudy nights is more subdued 

 and evenly distributed all around, so that fowl may 

 be stalked from any point which happens to suit your 

 convenience. Few fowlers are aware how easily on a 

 moonlight night a fowling punt can be detected on 

 the water by birds when viewed at a certain angle of 

 light, owing to the 'flash' of its sides and decks 

 This is of course obviated when shooting under a 

 clouded moon ; for you may then twist and turn your 

 punt about without any fear of alarming the fowl by 



