260 THE WILD-FOWLER. 



vigilant cunning 1 equally so, that unless their legs are broken or their 

 bodies severely wounded, they entirely elude their pursuers. 



They are sometimes sought by the more undignified sportsman, 

 with shoulder gun, in a rowing-boat propelled by one or two rowers, 

 whilst the sportsman sits abaft : but in this case they generally fly ; 

 or diving, take a backward route when a fast boat pursues them.* 

 By looking out sharply, and firing the moment they come to the 

 surface, the young sportsman may sometimes have very fair sport. 

 Calm weather and a smooth surface are best for shoveller-shooting. 



None of the species of shoveller can be recommended for culinary 

 purposes. In a work, which has been already alluded to as of great 

 rarity and antiquity, by an eminent physician, they are classed with 

 herons and bitterns, and are considered indigestible as an article of 

 food.f 



THB BURROW DUCK. 



[Tadorna vulpanser.'] 



The punter is often tempted to make a shot at the sheldrake or 

 burrow-duck (by the latter name it is better known), though for 

 domestic purposes it is of little value, the flesh being coarse, and re- 

 quiring great care and culinary skill in dressing before it can be made 

 a palatable dish. 



They are called burrow-ducks from their habits of breeding in rab- 

 bit-burrows and holes by the waterside, in sandy cliffs and banks. 

 They are larger than most others of the species, swim very fast, and 

 dive with great dexterity ; but a shot may generally be obtained at 

 them, with punt and gun, by following them up cunningly and expe- 

 ditiously. When pursued, they seldom take wing until closely pressed ; 

 and then they are generally within range of the shot of a punt-gun. 

 But in consequence of their having so many white feathers about 

 them, they cannot be seen on the water at night, and it is only by 

 daylight that they can be shot. 



* " The great difficulty is always to keep in view the exact spot where the birds 

 come up ; once lose sight of it, your progress is stopped, and in recovering your 

 advantage the birds are almost certain to see you, and fly." Colquhoun's Moor and 

 Lock. 



f " These fowles be fishers, and be very rawe and flegmatike, like unto the meate 

 wherof thei are fedde ; the young are beste, and ought to be eaten with peper, 

 sinomon, and ginger, and to drinke wine after them, for good digestion ; and this 

 doe for all water fowles." The Book of Simples, fol. Ixxij., by Dr. William Bullcyn : 

 London, 1562. 



