WILD-FOWL SHOOTING. 97 



veriest novice could not fail to do much execution with a double- 

 barrelled gun and plenty of ammunition. Without discouraging those 

 who may nevertheless think differently, I must say that I never 

 could see any real sport in a battue. 



The pursuit of wild-fowl shooting 1 is a sport totally distinct from 

 others ; and the diversion is altogether so far superior to many other 

 objects of the sportsman's gun, that it is to be preferred to the best 

 pheasant and partridge shooting in the land : and it is only treated 

 with indifference by those who have never thoroughly entered into it 

 and shared in the varieties of the diversion : let them once do so, 

 and they will know how to appreciate and enjoy it. As with many 

 other sports, one successful day would leave such pleasing impressions 

 upon the minds of those previously unacquainted with the sport, as to 

 make them esteem, if not prefer it, all the rest of their lives. The 

 sport of a battue on a game-preserve cannot be put in comparison with 

 the pursuit of water-fowl shooting : the one offers little or no variety 

 beyond firing as rapidly as a gun can be loaded, at birds which have 

 been fed until they have become almost as tame as common poultry ; 

 whilst the other, from being directed to birds ferm naturae, difficult 

 of access, and requiring skill and energy to bring to bag, besides 

 abounding with much incident, must be acknowledged by true-bred 

 sportsmen to have by far the greater claim to the name of sport. 

 And I will add, it is no mean accomplishment to be able to approach 

 wild-fowl by daylight on open waters ; which is but one o_f the 

 numerous branches of the sport now under consideration. The pur- 

 suit of wild-ducks and teal, on moors, fens, and bogs, where there is 

 ample cover, is another branch affording excessively good sport ; and 

 in this, the pleasant uncertainty and sudden surprises add much to 

 the enjoyment. Then there is coast-shooting (or " shore gunning," 

 as it is not inaptly termed) both by night and day. Flight-shooting 

 at eve and morning twilight ; punting by daylight, moonlight, and 

 starlight: under sail, and otherwise. These, and various other 

 methods of pursuing the captivating sport, have each their claims 

 to recommendation, and will be treated fully, and separately, in these 

 pages. Besides which, there are the many different species of wild- 

 fowl, each requiring special consideration, and forming subjects of 

 distinct remark, in a work devoted exclusively to the distinguished 

 sport of wild-fowling. 



The English sportsman will find there is no branch in the art of 

 shooting that requires so much skill, practice, and hardy endurance 



