i86 WILD-FOWL AND SEA-FOWL OF GREAT BRITAIN 



not fire for fear of breaking the windows ; and the 

 miller could not shoot for fear of hitting those in 

 front that had put them up. The fowl had enough 

 left-handed blessings sent after them to make their 

 tail feathers drop out. When we come to think 

 the matter over, those day-spattering Mallards were 

 far more trouble to us than profit ; but I suppose 

 the same kind of thing would take place again if 

 the chance offered. 



Plenty of duck-shooting can be had by those 

 that can afford it ; fowling costs money, but it is 

 the sport, not the fowl, that is worth considering. 

 Only a few years back duck-shooting in the season 

 was carried on by every man and lad capable of 

 using a gun ; there were no taxes either on a gun 

 or a dog at that time. No doubt we are benefited 

 by the fens and marshes being drained ; but in 

 some places known to myself the so-called improve- 

 ments have been doubtful blessings to the general 

 community. 



Flight-shooting is the only chance shore-shooters 

 have with the Mallard ; off-chances in hard weather 

 such as we have mentioned do not count. As those 

 men I was once associated with made it their busi- 

 ness, the flight-shooting either coming in or going 

 out was carried on in a business-like manner, the 

 chances for and against being calmly talked over 

 going down to the creek. The fowl have their 

 fly-lines, which are rarely deviated from, if it is a 

 good feeding haunt, the principal question being the 

 height at which they fly. If they rise and flight 



