ON FOWLERS AND WILD-FOWLING. 169 



low punt of the old-fashioned sort, at night, with 

 the fowler stretched out flat at the bottom, his long 

 gun just over the bows, is not easily distinguished 

 from a lot of fowl. Fowl lift only a few inches from 

 the water. They are in one grey mass, if in close 

 order, and of the same tone as the punt. More 

 than one unfortunate has been towed home, lying 

 dead in his punt, having been accidentally shot by 

 a fellow-fowler. The fowling-punts now in use, for 

 those who shoot for sport only, are of different con- 

 struction. Those our shore-shooters used were chiefly 

 the flat punts, peaked fore and aft, and they were 

 made in many instances by the men themselves. 



It is from this class that moneyed fowlers get 

 their information as to the fowl and their haunts. 

 Our ordinary shore-shooters are employed by the 

 latter as fowling and fishing guides. It would be 

 a rash venture to go on a strange coast without a 

 guide that could be trusted. Incompetent loafers 

 are to be found, go where you will; but a little 

 trouble and tact will lead you to what you require. 

 Then, weather permitting, if the fowl are there, 

 and the sportsman who is after them can shoot, 

 all will go well. 



