NIGHT-PUNTING. 167 



the creeks and channels of the locality, he will wish himself at home. 

 However easy it may be to step out of the punt, and launch it a few 

 yards over the mud, it is no easy or pleasant task to have to launch 

 a distance of a hundred yards or more ; which will sometimes be 

 found necessary, on the least carelessness or negligence on the part 

 of the punter. 



Another disadvantage attending night-punting on the ground-ebb 

 is, that the drain of water sets from the ooze, and against the punter, 

 as he proceeds to work up to birds on the mud ; whilst it is just the 

 contrary on the white water of a flood-tide, which helps the punt 

 along with considerable sway ; when, aided and guided by the paddles, 

 the punter is quickly upon the birds. 



It is sometimes desirable to lie in ambush at night, with punt and 

 gun ; and this may happen when ducks are heard to be near, and a 

 small stream of fresh water is known to flow into the salt water in 

 that particular locality ; when by proceeding, with the punt, early in 

 the evening, to the mouth of the stream, and getting as much in the 

 loom or shade of the land as possible, and waiting the flow of tide, a 

 very profitable shot may often be made. 



Wild-ducks are particularly fond of these fresh-water rivulets, and 

 generally contrive to find them out, be they ever so few and far be- 

 tween. On these occasions, as on almost every other, the midnight- 

 punter should shoot from the shore ; and, if possible, always avoid 

 shooting inland. 



When it so happens as it will occasionally that, from the cloudy 

 state of the atmosphere, it becomes difficult to adhere firmly to the 

 rules as to punting towards the light of the moon, because of the 

 uncertainty of its rays, occasioned by passing clouds ; or, it may be, 

 the wind is blowing from an unfavourable quarter ; the punter should 

 then, on such occasions, look around him, and choose the best loom or 

 back-ground he can, wherefromto advance. If therebe a shade from 

 the land or a tall tree, he should directly make for it, and advance 

 to the birds from that position ; or, in absence of a piece of shade 

 from land or tree, a dark cloud will be the best and only remaining 

 substitute. The punter should bear in mind, never to advance upon 

 birds from a light into a shady position, because it is invariably use- 

 less, as they are then enabled to discern the punt long before the 

 punter is aware of their gaze. 



When setting up to birds at night, the punter should carefully attend 

 to their noises : for he may be sure they do not suspect him, whilst 



