130 THE WILD FOWL KK. 



danger, of firing both barrels of a gun, of any description, simulta- 

 neously. 



There is but one way in which the double-barrelled punt-gun 

 might be used with extra effect, and that is, by firing the first 

 barrel at the birds whilst sitting on the water ; and then " tipping" 

 the gun, and firing the second at them when on the wing ; but, as 

 before observed, the smoke from the first discharge would, in nine 

 cases out of ten, obscure them from view, so that no aim could be 

 taken : consequently, no certainty would attend the second one. 

 But there is another obstacle even to this suggestion: a double- 

 barrelled punt- gun of the magnitude described, would be too heavy 

 for a man to " tip," and take a flying shot, whilst prostrate on the 

 floor of his punt. To be enabled to do it readily, a good deal 

 of machinery and extra apparatus would be required, adding 

 more weight to the already uselessly heavy double punt-gun and 

 fittings. 



There is, besides, another very grave objection to the double- 

 barrelled punt-gun. Experience teaches us that a punt for wild- 

 fowling purposes should be as light and buoyant as possible ; no 

 larger than absolutely necessary; should be of easy draught of 

 water, and capable of being propelled without over-fatiguing the 

 punter, in order that he may, when desirable, approach his birds 

 rapidly, and be enabled to turn or alter the course of the punt 

 without inconvenience. All this can only be accomplished with 

 punt and gun of ordinary dimensions. But Colonel Hawker's 

 double-barrelled punt-gun is, of necessity, a very weighty piece of 

 artillery, such as would almost sink a single-handed punt ; and in a 

 boat purposely constructed for two persons, it would be found quite 

 heavy enough ; to say nothing of the difficulty of approaching birds 

 in two-handed punts, and of moving them with sufficient activity to 

 obtain much success. 



Another objection is, the inconvenience of shifting such a gun to 

 the aft or middle of the punt, for the purpose of reloading a move- 

 ment necessary in all gunning-punts when the gun has to be loaded 

 whilst afloat ; and if, by chance, one barrel only is fired, the pon- 

 derous piece of artillery has to be shifted aft, the cap removed from 

 the loaded barrel, and the empty one re-charged, that the prospects 

 of a double shot may not be thrown away ! 



Such are among the most serious objections to double-barrelled 

 punt-guns j and it is hoped that enough has been said to convince 



