288 WILD FOWL SHOOTING. 



stream, and mark well if anything be astir there. 

 Should he find that there is, he may count on it 

 being either ducks, widgeon, or teal. If his sport 

 lie on streams or rivers, says Mr. Colquhoun, he 

 will find it very unsatisfactory; as there are so many 

 turnings and windings, which prevent his seeing the 

 fowl until they are close at hand, and so many little 

 bogs and creeks, where they conceal themselves 

 beyond the possibility of detection, until the whi of 

 their wings, and the croak of the mallard, betray their 

 hiding place. 



This is no doubt true; but the chase of water 

 fowl, in favourable circumstances, by running streams, 

 particularly when there are preserves in the vicinity, 

 is very pretty sport. Still it will be snap shooting 

 to a certain extent, and chance shots only are to be 

 reckoned on, while wild fowl stalking on open waters 

 is more a matter of science ; and of this we are treat- 

 ing. Having once got sight of the birds, the gunner 

 knows that his game is within reach, and he goes 

 about getting within shot of it. Let him search out 

 some cover, through which he may shoot at them. 

 In creeping to this shelter, if practicable, keep to lee- 

 ward of them, for then there is less chance of their 

 hearing or winding you. Having placed yourself within 

 shot, fire at them sitting with one barrel, reserving 

 the other to salute them when they rise, which they 

 will do perpendicularly. 



Ducks are far more wary and difficult of approach 

 than widgeon or teal ; so that in stalking the former 



