WILD-FOWL SHOOTING. 39" 



hold out against the cold and fatigue. Warm clothing 

 and double woollen stockings must be provided; and 

 waterproof boots are indispensable ; a fur or skin cap 

 should be worn, as the wild-fowl are always alarmed at 

 the sight of a hat. The gun must be of as great length 

 and weight of metal as the gunner can manage. He 

 who would shoot wild-fowl only a few hours after flight- 

 time, must acquire the faculty of shooting by the ear, 

 and this he will soon obtain by practice. He must 

 direct his aim by the noise of their wings. The dog 

 proper for the shore is the roughest and most hardy 

 spaniel, whose business is to bring the fowl when shot ; 

 and who, on his return home, should be accommodated 

 with a warm and dry lodging. A stake forked at top, 

 sometimes called a bumper, should be provided : this is 

 to be driven into the earth as a support from which to 

 fire the long and heavy duck-gun : but it is much more 

 pleasant, on shore, to fire with a barrel not exceeding 

 four feet, and of considerable substance and bore, which 

 a strong arm may easily manage ; this, with Bristol pa- 

 tent shot, or better still, the patent wire cartridge, will 

 kill at a distance of about from a hundred to a hundred 

 and twenty yards. The beginning of a thaw, or a frost 

 with snow and sleet, are the most favourable times for 

 this diversion. 



The shooter must fix on some place of concealment, 

 and shift his standing as occasion may require. When 

 a flat or punt is employed, he may pass along the 

 creeks which divide the marshes, and by silence and 



