PUNT-GUNNING 95 



These facts should be established to a certainty, so that he 

 need not approach and disturb them until the right time 

 arrives. Thus good gunners, who have the " ground " more 

 or less to themselves, nurse, rather than harass their birds. 

 On the other hand, an ignorant one attacks, regardless of 

 circumstances or future results, so long as he bags more birds 

 at the time, whilst comparatively small entries are afterwards 

 noted in his diary to those of his more skilful brother sports- 

 men. 



Again, by knowledge of the weather a puntsman knows 

 that certain conditions are favourable for certain parts of the 

 " ground," therefore he will work at most favourable times, 

 and in the most auspicious locality, leaving the birds at 

 absolute rest during all other periods ; neither will he worry 

 his fowl before they have fed, except in stormy or hard 

 weather, when liberties may sometimes be taken. 



The actual working hours of our friend on the flats may 

 well be divided into four distinct periods, namely, early 

 morning, midday, evening and night. By far the best time 

 is that period from when the earliest glimmer of light 

 appears flickering above the eastern horizon till sunrise. 

 With that first flush of dawn the gunner is enabled to ascertain 

 whether the day will be fine or not. If it is to be fine, it in- 

 variably comes low and streaky ; on the other hand, when 

 wind and wet may be expected, it breaks high up, often 

 right overhead. At least an hour before daybreak (earlier 

 still if a long distance from his punt) the gunner rises, and 

 having fortified himself with a substantial breakfast, proceeds 

 to put his craft into perfect order, as, unless there be a place 

 for everything and everything in its place, one cannot get on 

 with any degree of comfort in the dark. One should be able 

 to lay one's hand on whatever is wanted at a moment's notice, 

 and not be fiddling everywhere, or striking matches to find 

 it, as a great many do who ought, by this time, to know 

 better. 



To take another imaginary trip. Presuming the punt 

 launched, swivel shipped into its knee, and all stores on 



