W1LDFO WLING A T SEA 7 9 



skill and knowledge of the habits of birds which one must 

 possess in order to become a successful wildfowler. 



" Unwearied patience, persevering toil 

 Alone can crown the fowler's eager hopes, 

 Whate'er the season or whate'er the sport." 



But beyond these there are a thousand and one other little 

 incidentals which books and instruction can never teach, how- 

 ever useful they both may be ; these can alone be acquired by 

 practical experience. 



The habits of wildfowl will be found to vary considerably 

 according to the locality they are frequenting, whether it be 

 a tidal estuary, an inland morass or a fresh- water Broad. 



On a tidal estuary, for instance, certain species feed on 

 the ebb and rest during the flood (regardless of night or day) ; 

 whilst, in contravention to this, freshwater fowl, consisting 

 chiefly of long-winged fowl and surface feeders, when at 

 home in open weather, take their rest during the daytime and 

 commence feeding as nightfall approaches, their habits being- 

 regulated by weather, daylight, or their own convenience; 

 whilst others adapt themselves to the ever-changing phases of 

 the moon. And it is only by a careful study and knowledge 

 of their habits that one can tell where they are eventually to 

 be found. Generally on estuaries the great quarry is 

 widgeon, which keep their feeding-time strictly in accordance 

 with the rise and fall of the tide, so if the birds have arrived 

 one invariably knows where and when they should be sought. 

 The most extraordinary peculiarity of widgeon is their own 

 peculiar language, concerning which a great deal has been pre- 

 viously written and discussed; and the manner in which ex- 

 perienced punters understand what th e birds are doing and think- 

 ing about by their cries is certainly nothing short of marvellous, 

 and not to be believed until put to a practical test. Yet the 

 habits of wildfowl on estuaries, except in frosty weather, are 

 fairly consistent. The birds frequent the sea and open water 

 for a quiet siesta, and uninterrupted toilet after dining, and 

 return inshore immediately the banks of ooze and edible grass 



