8o BROADLAND SPORT 



commence to become uncovered, remaining there until the 

 rising tide again drives them to sea ; whilst, if persistently 

 persecuted and hunted, they . will leave the district entirely, 

 seeking elsewhere more favourable and secluded shores. 



There is nothing more harmful to a " ground," and alarm- 

 ing to birds, than the continuous firing of shoulder guns 

 (either from a boat or the shore) if it is wished to preserve the 

 district for punt-gunning. Of course, public waters well 

 stocked with gunners are not thus referred to, nor are estuaries 

 where there is an eager shooter for every fowl in the place, as 

 in that case it would be an utter impossibility to restrain them 

 from their endeavours, the argument being that if they don't 

 shoot the birds somebody else will. This, therefore, accounts 

 for the diminished stock on our large public shooting grounds, 

 and the various devices and plans for the destruction of wild- 

 fowl now carried on, regardless whether they come under 

 the lawful denomination of sport, or the injury inflicted on 

 the district, so long as the shooters have the satisfaction of 

 being able to say that they have shot at a duck. Again, 

 in some localities it is only possible to carry out one class of 

 shooting. Where this is the case it should not be too often 

 resorted to, but carried out in a systematic, skilful manner ; 

 thus a good day once a week may become almost certain, 

 where otherwise all the labour, patience and skill in the 

 world would produce but little result. 



WlLDFOWLING AFLOAT. 



This branch of sport should on no consideration be chosen 

 for a " gunning " district, which is a broad principle that all 

 alike should strictly follow. 



The reasons for this ought to be apparent to anyone possess- 

 ing the crudest rudiments of wildfowling without further com- 

 ment. Fowl, after feeding on the ebb (or at night), resort to 

 the open water for rest and sleep, and if they find no security 

 there, and are unduly harassed, they will desert the coast 

 altogether ; indeed, in some parts of England it is to be 



