FOWLING. 3 



There are certain places in the Fens preferred by wild-fowl to others ; 

 and the same is to be observed of such fowl as do not venture far inland ; 

 but, as the subject will be briefly discussed in subsequent pages, 

 under the different heads applicable to each particular species, we 

 only speak here in general terms as to their haunts and habits. 

 The knowledge of this branch of the art possessed by the ancient 

 fowler, was by no means so superficial as may have been supposed : 

 it was of the essence of his success to be well informed on this 

 head.* 



The favourite daily resorts of the smaller species of wild-fowl, as 

 duck, teal, and such-like, are sequestered lakes, ponds, and arms 

 of the sea. At twilight, in the evening, they change their 

 quarters to fens, moors, and bog-lands ; where they find their best 

 and most abundant food. The wilder and more uncultivated the 

 country, the more it is frequented by wild-fowl ; provided it be a 

 moorish or sedgy and fertile soil. During great and heavy rains, 

 they resort to flooded meadows, delighting to dabble in shallow 

 water, where easy access can be obtained to the bottom, without 

 immersing their whole bodies. They are particularly partial to such 

 swamps and morasses as are intersected with small islands and 

 mounds. Widgeon prefer saline feeding-grounds, and do not 

 generally seek their food so far inland as ducks and teal. Brent 

 geese confine themselves exclusively to the sea by night, and 

 frequent salt-water rivers and bays during the day. Grey geese 

 are devotedly attached to fields of green wheat, and extensive moors 

 and savannas. 



From this mere cursory glance at the habits of wild-fowl, the 

 variety of the diversion will be at once apparent ; and it will 

 be perceived that a familiarity with the haunts as well as the habits 

 of the different species, is of paramount importance to the wild- 

 fowler. 



Wildfowl are by far the most subtle of all birds : it is their very 

 nature to be so, accustomed as they are at one season of the year to 

 wild and uninhabited regions, and at another, to the incessant perse- 

 cution of the fowler. They are also the most attractive objects of the 

 sportsman's diversion, both physically and gastronomically ; but 

 require much skill, patience, and cunning in shooting and capturing. 



* Markham observes : " The first and principalest thing our skilfull Fowler hath 

 to learne, is the knowledg of the haunts or places of residence where these Fowlc 

 for the most part abide." 



