DUCK AND TEAL SHOOTING 



and roosts in trees frequently nesting in holes in 

 the latter. It is much smaller than the common 

 teal, and is, in my opinion, a good bird on the table. 

 Many other species of ducks, teal, and pochards are 

 found in the empire, and a big bag of web-footed 

 fowl often contains a great variety. 



DUCK AND TEAL SHOOTING 



Except in a desultory way, I did not go in 

 much for duck shooting, the (to me) far superior 

 attractions of the curly-flighted long-bill inclining 

 me to devote my spare time in the cold weather 

 to the latter rather than to the former. I shot 

 duck and teal when I came across them, and even 

 on occasion have gone out specially to shoot these 

 birds, but have thus exclusively devoted com- 

 paratively little time to the web-footed fowl. 



Where duck and teal are found frequenting a 

 large tank fringed with high reeds, if several guns 

 go out together, taking up positions amongst the 

 latter at a considerable distance apart, while a 

 native, going on the tank in a boat, keeps the birds 

 on the move, a large bag may often be made. 

 A collapsible Berthon or other folding boat is a 

 very useful adjunct in duck shooting. 



Personally I prefer No. 5 shot for duck, though 

 many sportsmen use a larger size. It is advisable 

 to have as many pellets as is consistent with 

 sufficient penetration in the charge, on account of 

 the greater chance of striking a vital spot, and 

 everyone who has shot duck knows what a number 



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