WILD-FOWLING IN FRANCE. 365 



nished at the upper end with a ring* or grommet, and at the other 

 end with a forked iron. Some of these boats are fitted with guns as 

 large as English punt -guns : with these the French fowlers often 

 make highly successful shots. 



A method of shooting wild-fowl which has gained great credit in 

 France, is that of enticing the birds within range of a gun by means 

 of a reflector (reverbdre). 



This deception is made to represent, as well as it can, the rising 

 sun j at the appearance of which, the birds assemble together, and 

 swim towards the shore from which the rays of light are emitted. 

 The reflector is neither more nor less than a copper dish, well po- 

 lished, which, when the sport is pursued on the banks of a river, is 

 suspended from the neck of one person, who also carries in his hand 

 a caldron or pan containing oil and four or five lighted wicks. The 

 caldron being held immediately below the reflector, bright rays of 

 light are cast upon the water, which, if seen from afar by the wild- 

 fowl, are so announced by their cries and quackings. 



Immediately on hearing from the feathered tribe these indications 

 of attraction, the sportsman, together with the bearer of the reflector 

 and caldron, accept them as a signal to observe strict silence and 

 precaution. They walk very slowly and lightly in the direction of 

 the birds, which at the same time are probably advancing towards 

 the attraction. The sportsman stands in obscurity, behind the 

 bearer of the reflector ; and as soon as he finds the birds are within 

 range, and are sitting close together, he takes deliberate aim, and 

 fires his gun at them. The killed and wounded are then captured by 

 the fowlers, who get into a boat, and pursue them. 



When this attraction is used on the banks of a pond or small 

 space of water, it may be performed by one person alone ; in which 

 case, the reflector is suspended from a post or staff ; and the caldron 

 is placed upon the ground in front, at the necessary distance to throw 

 the reflection at the required range on the water. Everything should 

 be in readiness before lighting the wicks in the caldron j and the 

 fowler should be cautious not to show himself between the light and 

 the water ; but immediately on lighting the wicks, he should retire 

 behind the reflector. 



After shooting once, it is useless to attempt it again, on that night, 

 in the same place : the fowler must, therefore, change his position to 

 another spot, beyond the sound of his former discharge, where he 

 may probably be again successful. 



