456 THE FOWLER IN IRELAND. 



There are two descriptions of single-handed 

 duck-punts : one very narrow, for hand-paddling 

 to fowl over either side, the width of which may, 

 however, be slightly increased, if the fowler who 

 uses it has a very long reach of arm ; the other 

 for sculling to fowl by means of an oar over the 

 starboard quarter worked in a spur. This latter 

 is the larger, more comfortable, and safer craft 

 of the two, as it need not be narrow, as is neces- 

 sary in the former. It will also carry a heavier, 

 and so more powerful gun. The side-paddling 

 punt is, though, faster, and in safe waters will 

 act best, especially at night, as it can be held 

 against wind or tide to listen for birds calling, 

 and yet kept stem on in the direction they are, 

 or you wish to go. This cannot be done so 

 well when lying down and sculling with an oar 

 or pushing with a setting-pole. Though I consider 

 side-paddling one of the most cramped and un- 

 pleasant attitudes a man can put himself into, and 

 very trying to his arms and back, yet, like all 

 other things, it is highly successful when used under 

 the conditions that suit it. 



But whatever a punt be, single or double, she 

 can't be too light, consistent with strength. Light- 

 ness means quickness and success in every way. 

 In the very fast craft I have afterwards described 

 (page 469), I was able, with a small 65lb. gun, 

 shooting 10 ozs. of shots, to race past other 

 shooters, when setting to fowl together in calm 

 water in the large harbour I was fowling in when 

 I built her. But, on the other hand, the larger 

 punts, using heavier guns, when they did get a 



