in tf)e jFens. 



PUNT, GUNS, &c. USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. 



HAVING returned from France, and learnt the system 

 of that country, we will now finish our wildfowl ex- 

 cursions with a few observations on the fens, and other 

 fresh waters, where it is the most likely to answer. The 

 punts in the fens are now somewhat similar to that 

 which I before named of Buckle's, only much narrower, 

 in order that the gunners may be able to pull them 

 through the reeds, in places where they cannot use their 

 paddles. 



The guns here, instead of having any thing to check 

 the recoil, are, like his, merely rested on a broad thwart, 

 or gunning-bench, about the centre, and in a groove at 

 the bow, to support the muzzle ; so that the shooters 

 here fire in the manner before stated, vi%. they lean 

 with the hollow of their shoulders hard against their 

 fowling-pieces (as they here call punt guns) ; and, after 

 thus checking the recoil themselves, allow the gun to 

 run under their arms. The fen guns are built pur- 

 posely to avoid a recoil, and to shoot very close, at a 

 small bunch of birds; and, consequently, they are not 

 on the very best proportion to make heavy shots in a 

 flock. For, notwithstanding they are from forty to 

 seventy pounds weight, and from seven to ten feet in 



