PUNT GUNS, AN ABOMINATION. 135 



from the Delaware south to Florida possesses the 

 most marvellous extent of semi-land-locked waters 

 possibly to be found in any part of the world, and 

 they are provided with an abundance of all the 

 choicest foods that ducks, geese, and swans can 

 revel in. Therefore, a few years back, millions of 

 these birds made it their winter residence ; but punt- 

 guns soon altered all this, for firing at these feathered 

 visitors at long ranges, at all hours of the night and 

 day, so intimidated them that they were compelled 

 to seek new shelters to avoid annihilation. Thus 

 the winter pleasure of many of the farmers and land- 

 owners, merchants and shopkeepers, was spoiled, and 

 would have continued to be so had not their grievance 

 sought redress at the hands of their respective legis- 

 latures, which, being composed of practical men, 

 passed laws yes, and enforced them that no gun 

 should be used in wildfowl shooting that cannot be 

 shot from the shoulder. 



The result of this wise act of legislation is that the 

 migrant water-birds have returned to their old 

 favourite haunts, and soon promise to be as abun- 

 dant and afford as much amusement to the ordinary 

 sportsman as in years gone by. 



If the American coast could not bear with impunity 

 the use of these gigantic specimens of firearms, how 

 much less can our coast do it. And if market 

 gunners and a few amateurs had to sacrifice their 

 gains or pleasure across the Atlantic for the benefit 

 of the majority, it is not much to expect in fact, 

 insist that the same classes cease to follow an avoca- 

 tion that produces here much more disastrous results. 



Shutting up the mouth of a salmon river with nets 

 is a great injustice to those that dwell upon the 

 stream's banks near the source whence it has sprung. 

 Harassing wildfowl on the coast with punt guns is 

 almost an equal act of unfairness to those that reside 

 inland. 



