ANCHORAGES. 351 



a bad one for birds) safe from all weather for small 

 vessels that must be kept afloat. There are a 

 couple of others, but in them a sudden run through 

 a shift of wind is a more than probable chance, 

 and not a pleasant one on a dirty night. A man, to 

 shoot with success on wild open waters, must bear 

 far heavier expenses than he who fowls in sheltered 

 spots. On the river alluded to, and in many other 

 similar shooting-grounds I know well, when moving 

 from one place to another, a rocky, dangerous shore 

 will intervene of from ten to perhaps twenty miles 

 in extent. For short trips a stout, seaworthy boat 

 is indispensable as a tender. Should you, however, 

 be the owner of a fine roomy cutter or yawl of 

 suitable draught and tonnage, you can then, whether 

 the distances be long or short, move with ease and 

 safety all belongings, up or down rivers, in or out 

 of harbours, or round the coast, as wished, or the 

 chances of sport direct. A steam vessel, though it 

 can cheat wind and tide, does not answer well for 

 fowling unless the shooter works from one place, 

 or where two or more estuaries are conveniently 

 near. There is in such vessels a great risk of being 

 unable to obtain coal in the remote places where 

 sport is best. This is at any time an inconvenience, 

 and, besides, steamers have but poor accommo- 

 dation for tonnage. They require skilled labour, 

 and fishermen or local pilots who are the best 

 and most knowledgable men for the purpose can 



the most part a wide open piece of water without any shelter, with 

 sluice-like tides, and almost dry at springs. By choice, I should say 

 as dangerous fowling-ground as any in Ireland, and out of the 

 question for shooting, save with the most seaworthy of punts, and the 

 stoutest of following boats in constant attendance. 



