292 THE GUN: AFIELD AND AFLOAT 



On certain estates notably those of the Hon. Walter 

 Rothschild in southern-central England, and of Sir 

 Richard Graham in the extreme north of this country 

 thousands of wild-duck are now reared each year, and 

 these wild-fowl afford the finest sport when driven over 

 the guns in the daytime in much the same manner as are 

 game-birds. Upon the estate last-named a bag exceed- 

 ing iioo wild-ducks was made on each of three con- 

 secutive days in October of 1902; at a later date in 

 the same autumn these heavy totals were repeated on 

 two or more days. 



The Golden Plover is deservedly held in high estima- 

 tion by the shooter, as it is capable of affording sport 

 excellent in quality. Using a 12-bore gun and No. 5 shot, 

 for golden plover require a good blow to bring them 

 properly to earth, I have frequently made tolerably 

 heavy bags whilst shooting these sharp-flying birds in 

 certain of their favoured haunts. In one low-lying section 

 of the country much intersected by dykes I have found 

 huge congregations, several thousands strong, of golden 

 and green plover feeding in company upon the clover 

 and grass lands. Whilst following these birds in such 

 situation good wading-boots of full length are indis- 

 pensable, as frequently the only shelter the sportsman 

 can find is down in the bottom of the ditches. Thus 

 equipped, and with feet encased in the stockings proper 

 for use with water-boots, he may stand for hours in water 

 a foot or more deep without experiencing the slightest 

 discomfort. Having thus the power to screen himself so 

 effectually he may proceed to shoot the plover in the 

 most effective manner possible, either by stalking them 

 up the dykes, or by having them driven over him whilst 

 thus concealed. Now and again shooting-butts are con- 



