CONTENTS. ix 



CHAP. XXI., PAGE 116. THE GUNNING PUNT description and dimensions 

 of distinction between flat-bottomed and flat-floored the most approved form 

 Clench-built punts Tell-tales Advice to the punting tyro Hampshire 

 punts Essex punts Two-handed punts. 



CHAP. XXII., PAGE 122. PUNT GUNS the great desideratum importance of 

 correct elevation instructions in the art of elevating to the most effective 

 range Practical experiences Cause and effect Errors of the inexperienced 

 Gun breechings and recoil springs various modes of checking the 

 recoil Colonel Hawker's patent recoil spring Mode of firing without a 

 check. 



CHAP. XXIII., PAGE 128. MANAGEMENT OF THE PUNT GUN. Prelimi- 

 nary remarks Objections to loading spoons Loading the punt-gun caution 

 in drawing the charge Oakum wadding versus punched wads Firing the 

 punt-gun tipping the punt-gun Colonel Hawker's double-barrelled punt -guns 

 condemned The stanchion gun method of using it on land Colonel Hawker's 

 impracticable inventions. 



CHAP. XXIV., PAGE 140. PUNTING BY DAYLIGHT-made easy rudiments 

 of the art modern improvements in since Colonel Hawker's time exciting 

 sport Paddles The day for ducks Extraordinary shot The scene of slaugh- 

 ter The science of killing large numbers with the punt-gun Practical experi- 

 ences Secrets of success Old hands Fair chances The rules of punting 

 Disappointments accounted for Rough water Perils of the sport Warnings 

 Disguises Practical hints Public waters and wild- fowl presei*ves Neces- 

 sity of early rising Advantageous positions Punting on the Delaware A 

 fall on the ooze Splashers Perilous predicament rescue from a watery 

 grave. 



CHAP. XXV., PAGE 152. WILD-FOWLING IN DRIFT ICE. Old-fashioned 

 diversion Predictions of sportsmen Hard winters An arctic scene The 

 practised fowler - Perils of the sport practical experiences precautions Ice- 

 bergs The first breath of a thaw Safest form of punt Windy weather 

 Drift ice A reckless adventurer set fast in the ice rescued again incau- 

 tious his death. 



CHAP. XXVI., PAGE 158. THE SAILING PUNT its advantages personal 

 experiences caution Colonel Hawker's sailing punt proper form and dimen- 

 sions rigging and sailing the punt Agreeable surprises warnings to the in- 

 experienced. 



CHAP. XXVII., PAGE 164. NIGHT PUNTING. Importance of familiarity with 

 notes and noises of wild-fowl Light and shade Wind Moonlight Setting 

 to birds Widgeon their last legs Desirable opportunities White water 

 Perfection of the art Starlight Ground ebb Cloudy atmosphere Directions 

 to the novice Birds " in charm" Calm nights Danger of wandering on the 

 ooze at night Lamentable occurrence at Brightlingsea, Essex Windy nights. 



CHAP. XXVIII., PAGE 170. NIGHT PUNTING (continued). Highly satisfac- 

 tory sport Golden opportunities Science of night punting Anxious moments 

 The punting parson Anecdote of a most perilous adventure, and providen- 

 tial escape Rules of night punting Gentlemen gunners Serious accidents 

 The punting shoemaker A knob of widgeon Muzzle to muzzle. 



CHAP. XXIX., PAGE 176. SLEDGING FOR WILD-FOWL contemptible occu- 

 pation Lymington sledgers Launching punts Explanation of the pursuit 

 dangers attending it. 



CHAP. XXX., PAGE 178. WILD-GOOSE SHOOTING. Logical reasoning of a 

 black-letter author Brent geese their haunts and habits favourable oppor- 

 tunities for pursuing them before and after a gale best chances All " a guz- 

 zle " Ground ebb Wounded geese Thick weather Hints to the shore- 

 gunner Discipline of black geese. 



CHAP. XXXI., PAGE 182. THE GREY-LAG GOOSE their habits catenarian 

 order of their flight their favourite haunts mode of stalking them the 

 swivel-gun. 



