331 



&i*ttatic 



It was not originally the intention of the author to have en- 

 tered into the subject of shooting farther than w^hat related to 

 those animals denominated game ; but as what are called wild 

 fowl frequently present themselves during winter to the attention 

 of the sportsman, and as those gentlemen who reside near the 

 fens and marshes frequently amuse themselves in those places 

 when superior sport is unattainable, in order to render the 

 " Shooter's Companion" as complete as possible, I shall sketch 

 the history of aquatic and fen birds, as well as describe the most 

 approved mode of following the diversion of wild fowl and fen 

 shooting. Those birds which frequent the fens but are not web 

 footed will first come under consideration. 



The progressions of nature from one class of beings to another, 

 are always by slow and almost imperceptible degrees. She has 

 peopled the woods and the fields with a variety of the most beau- 

 tiful birds ; and, to leave no part of her extensive territories un- 

 tenanted, she has stocked the waters with its feathered inhabi- 

 tants also : she has taken the same care in providing for the 

 wants of her animals in this element, as she has done with res- 

 pect to those of the other ; she has used as much precaution to 

 render water- fowl fit for swimming, as she did in forming land- 

 fowl for flight ; she has defended their feathers with a natural 

 oil, and united their toes by a webbed membrane; by which 

 contrivances they have at once security and motion. But be- 

 tween the classes of land-birds that shun the water, and water- 

 fowl that are made for swimming and living on it, she has 

 formed a very numerous tribe of birds, that seem to partake of 

 a middle nature ; that, with divided toes, seemingly fitted to live 



