SEAFOWL SHOOTING SKETCHES. 85 



Sir Ralph Payne-Gallwey says that No. 5 suits a i2-bore best 

 of all. 



Now for impedimenta, &c. It is always as well to carry about 

 25 yards of water cord (when you have not got a dog) for re- 

 trieving purposes. To this cord may be attached either a folding 

 wooden grapnel or a straight stick iSin. to 2ft. long, with a 

 string from end to end, and your line fastened to the centre of 

 the string, after the manner of the belly band of a kite. You 

 can with a little practice throw either of these beyond a bird up 

 to 20 yards distance, and thus draw it gradually to the side. 



Be sure to get water cord, or your line will kink as soon as it 

 gets wet, and give you no end of trouble. Also put your foot 

 on the end of the line or you may throw all the lot in the water, 

 as I once did, thus losing a whole ball of twine. 



A good glass is useful. Of course, a binocular is very handy, 

 and if a good one is by far the best. 



The best extractor is the springclip, which may be purchased 

 for about is. 6d. at any gun-maker's. It also comes in useful 

 occasionally as a pair of tweezers. And it will fit any size of 



I have not overmuch faith in calls, and I have tried many. The 

 landrail call, made after the manner of a watchman's rattle, is 

 very effective as a rule, but once in every four or five seasons the 

 birds refuse to listen to the voice of the charmer, charm he never 

 so wisely. 



Another call very easily made is the green plover or lapwing 

 call. You take a piece of linen tape about one-third of an inch 

 wide, and stretch it tightly lengthwise across a bit of tin i^in. by 

 i in., and tie it there. Then take another piece of tin 2iin. by 

 i in., place it flat on the tape, and bend it over the other piece, 

 overlapping half an inch at each side. Press it very firmly down 

 with your pliers, cut off the knot and superfluous tape, open out 

 the tin a little in the centre, so that it does not press on the tape, 

 which latter moisten, and blow away, trying to imitate the call 

 of a bird. You will soon succeed in making a good imitation. 

 This call is quite as effective as those sold in the shops, and 

 much more convenient, as you can keep it in the mouth and have 

 both hands at liberty. It may be made of sheet silver or German 

 silver, and will then last a long time. 



Of course, in using this or any other call you must keep out of 

 sight. And there is a far greater chance of success when practis- 

 ing on a solitary bird than on a number. 



A landing net for use aboard a boat is easily constructed, and 

 will be found of great service. An old angling net does very 

 well, still many people like to make their own tackle, and those 

 may proceed as follows : Make a ring either of cane or willow, 



