310 WILDFOWL SHOOTING. 



the disturbance they make in the water, and they will 

 generally swim over the whole of the pond in a few 

 hours ; so that, in moonlight l , you would be almost sure 

 of them. 



Should the pond be frozen over, you might some- 

 times have a very fine shot, by breaking open a large 

 place in the ice, where they would collect together for 

 the fresh water, and most likely be accompanied by 

 duck and mallard. The chief of the shooting on the 

 ponds by night is at the dunbirds, which are vulgarly 

 called redheads; for, with the exception of the tufted 

 and scaup duck, the other diving birds prefer feeding 

 by day. The golden-eyes go out every evening to sea, 

 where, until the winter is nearly over, they will remain 

 all night ; though perhaps tossed on billows in the most 

 tempestuous weather. 



through their ranks. If you see a single curre by day, when he 

 dives you must run and the moment he comes up, squat down. So 

 you may go on till within ten yards of him, and then stand ready to 

 shoot him as he Hies up, which he will do on coming up again, and 

 seeing you suddenly appear so close. There are various contrivances 

 for shooting birds that dive, such as cormorants, grebes, &c. : some 

 fire the moment they come up ; others shoot under them, or under 

 their heads ; and many hide the flash, by putting a shield of paste- 

 board before, or a cover over, the gunlock ; but, after all, the best 

 recipe is to have a good detonating gun. 



