270 THE WILD-FOWLER. 



The wild-fowl shooter will often find it necessary to crawl upon his 

 knees through snow or mud ; but, regardless of both, he must face 

 all such difficulties manfully without a murmur, and then success will 

 the more frequently crown his efforts.* Many a wild-swan and 

 goose is killed in this manner. The sportsman should always bear in 

 mind that, having stalked the birds, it is useless to fire at them in 

 their sitting posture if their breasts are turned towards him : the 

 shot in such a case strikes the feathers, and glides off with harmless 

 effect ; the only chance of killing is, that a stray shot may hit the 

 bird in the head : such, however, must be very remote if they are 

 small birds. It is generally better to wait a few moments, or put 

 the birds up at once and fire under their wings, which is the 

 most vulnerable part of all the feathered tribe. 



Wild-ducks and widgeon generally keep to lee-shores when feed- 

 ing : the wild-fowl shooter need not be disconcerted at finding 

 the birds to leeward, he will be able to stalk them, with skill and 

 precaution, if he has no strong scents about him, and allows not the 

 slightest noise to reach their ears. Wild-fowl detect the enemy 

 quickest in calm weather ; but during a strong wind there is less 

 occasion for such extreme caution. 



The best time for pursuing this sport is during windy weather, or 

 whilst snow and sleet are falling ; when 



" Earlier than wont along the sky, 

 Mixed with the rack the snow mists fly." 



It is also a favourable opportunity during the prevalence of an 

 easterly wind with snow (especially on the eastern coast), or in foggy 

 or hazy weather. At such times wild-fowl do not fly half so high in 

 the air as when the atmosphere is clear. The first day or two, on 

 the breaking-up of a long-continued frost, when the ground has been 

 some time covered with snow, are exceedingly favourable opportu- 

 nities. 



The wild-fowl shooter must at all times pay regard to the colour, 

 as well as the warmth, of his sporting costume ; and in no branch of 



* The ancient fowler was thoroughly awake to the necessity of caution and hard 

 toil in stalking wild-fowl. It is observed by Markham, " If you have not sufficient 

 shelter by reason of the nakednesse of the baukes and want of trees, then you shall 

 creepe upon your hands and knees under the bankes, and lying even flat upon your 

 belly, put the nose of your piece over the banke, and so take your Icvell ; for a fowle 

 is wonderfully fearefull of a man." Hunger's Prevention, or the Art of Fowling ; by 

 Gervase Markham : A.D. 1655. 



