344 THE WILD-FOWLER. 



common- sized shoulder-gun, and when the season for wild-fowl in 

 those parts was very far advanced.* 



In the river, immediately near to Gothenburg, are extensive reed 

 beds, covering several hundred acres of bog-land. In these, great 

 numbers of wild-duck, teal, widgeon, and other aquatic fowl resort ; 

 but from being constantly pursued by shooters, they are very dis- 

 trustful, and difficult of approach to any other than an experienced 

 sportsman. The usual manner of shooting wild-fowl in the reed-beds 

 alluded to, is from a small flat-bottomed boat. The sportsman sits 

 at the prow, whilst a boatman at the stern propels the craft through 

 the reeds as quickly, but noiselessly as possible : for which purpose 

 the boatman uses a pole. In this manner the sportsman often steals 

 closely upon the birds ; and on their topping the reeds, he is enabled 

 to take deliberate aim. 



* Vide " Field Sports of North Europe," by L. Lloyd, Esq. : A.D. 1830. 



