30 THE FOWLER IN IRELAND. 



straight towards them ; rather take some object, 

 such as a tree or mound, for a guide to march on. 

 Walk or creep, as occasion requires, out of sight, 

 and when opposite to it, face direct for the mark 

 first fixed on. If you trust to where you think 

 the birds are, you will go astray. By acting as 

 described you may find your game to the right 

 or left, on reaching the water, and still within 

 shot. If, on the other hand, you make forward 

 at first, you have but one chance, and that only in 

 front. 



Admirable early flighting may be enjoyed on the 

 inland ponds and private marshes of Ireland. The 

 lakes are too large for this. I have often shot from 

 fifteen to twenty-five wildfowl on a lonely piece of 

 water at daylight in the short space of half an hour. 

 The birds, after feeding all night in various parts of 

 the country, fly to such places for rest and shelter dur- 

 ing the day. About dusk, after long quacking, they 

 will rise and leave almost simultaneously, spreading 

 over the adjoining lands to feed through the night. 

 They begin to return in twos, threes, and small 

 bunches just before daylight, for the first hour of 

 dawn, by which time most of them that intend to 

 come have arrived. The chief requisite to ensure 

 success is a windy morning, as then the birds pitch 

 on the sheltered side of the water within range, 

 while at the same time the wind blows away the 

 smoke and report of the gun. On a calm morn- 

 ing success is uncertain, as the fowl pitch all over 

 the water out of shot ; the smoke hangs, the 

 next visitants see and smell danger and avoid 

 alighting. 



