HABITS OF WIGEON. 43 



in larger, and finally the main body are to be heard, 

 though not seen or shot at, whistling in thousands 

 overhead. After noticing the flats bare of fowl in 

 fine weather day by day, and worrying them to 

 little good at sea, bear in mind the first gale is your 

 chance. The harder it blows the better, if you can 

 live in it. You will then find the channels packed 

 with Wigeon, till the banks are topped by the tide ; 

 and they will stand several shots ere leaving to 

 ride it out in the pitching sea. Never omit to start 

 up a creek lying down, as when setting to birds ; 

 unless in this position of ready, you will now and 

 then come so suddenly on the fowl as to lose a 

 shot. The fiercer the wind the closer Wigeon will 

 huddle in a channel, or under shelter of its wind- 

 ward bank. To get a shot is then a mere question 

 of being able to steer your course, and prevent 

 being drifted on the leeward shore. You should be 

 still surer with frost and a north-easter. Wigeon 

 are then very tame, and you may observe them 

 standing alternately on either leg, one foot being 

 drawn up with a shiver to the warmth of the 

 body, while they endeavour to smooth their ruffling 

 feathers by facing each whirling gust. Though in 

 miserable plight, don't think of pity. Take them 

 whilst you may. They will afford you many a 

 weary chase and empty bag on days to come. 



What fowl there may be at sea, or driven outside 

 by firing, will, on a wild evening face shoreward 

 earlier than is their wont. 



Without a retriever you will surely lose your 

 birds, for even if dead they are hard to pick up in 

 the dusk, and if wounded impossible. You cannot 



