THE CRIPPLE CHASE. 235 



to dive ; thus I have frequently brought wounded birds to the 

 surface and captured them, after they had been hiding- many minutes 

 in the sea-weeds under water. Novices at the sport are always much 

 vexed and annoyed at being unable to secure wounded birds which 

 have fallen to their shot. 



Wild fowl having- simply their wings broken, swim with their 

 bodies deeply buried in the water. These are the strongest cripples 

 of all, and give the boldest chase. 



The cripple-net which is of similar form to an angler's landing- 

 net, but larger, and is provided with a longer staff may always be 

 employed in the pursuit of badly-wounded birds ; which, on feebly 

 attempting to escape by diving, may be captured by the fowler with 

 the cripple-net : he must use a little skill in aiming the net below 

 the surface, just at the moment the bird dives. A little practice will 

 enable the fowler to use the cripple-net with considerable advantage. 

 It is at all times desirable to capture cripple wild-fowl without firing 

 at them, because of the advantage of securing them without filling 

 their flesh with shot. 



In the sharp winters of years gone by, wild-fowl were so abundant 

 that the punter never used to think of taking much trouble about 

 the cripple chase, but used merely to collect those only which were 

 killed outright, or so severely wounded as to be unable to flutter away 

 or make any but feeble attempts at diving'. The cripples were per- 

 mitted to hobble ashore, where they became the lawful prize of those 

 who were fortunate enough to secure them. 



The duck hunt, so popular at regattas, originated from the scene of 

 a wild-fowling cripple chase. 



