430 THE FOWLER IN IRELAND. 



gun will not slip over this as if it were wood. 

 Leather would answer as well or better, but in a 

 punt, to be neat and in keeping, all, even the smallest 

 article, should be of a white colour. When you find 

 where the rest lies when best suited to ordinary 

 shots, cut the handle off, or notch it to exactly 

 reach the end of, or some mark on, the gun-stock. 

 This is then a most useful guide as to the elevation 

 and distance for firing at fowl, both by night and 

 day. 



Setting-pole should be of tough wood (then it 

 may be small and thin), at least eight feet long, 

 and some inch and a quarter in diameter, with a 

 good knob or cross piece on the handle end to pre- 



ENDS OF LONG AND SHORT SETTING-POLES. 



The latter is cut out of a fin. elm board, to the grain if possible ; it is 

 then inserted in slit at end of pole, and secured by copper rivets. The 

 enlargements are bands of lead. The long pole-head is 3^in. across 

 the prongs, small pole-head 4in. from one point to the other. 



vent a slip through cold fingers. It should be so 

 leaded that it will float upright without sinking in 

 deep water. The end for pushing should be as 

 shown ; it is the best shape for shoving against soft 

 ground without burying. Don't forget to have a 



