98 BROADLAND SPORT 



into a large flock of such, killing many, including, perhaps, the 

 deceptive smee. 



Very often, too, when a shot is made in the dawn, another 

 flock from a distance, disturbed by the flash from a gun, rise 

 and re-pitch quite close by, enabling you to obtain a second 

 shot, or even a third shot being fired before a single cripple 

 has been gathered, which, as one is favoured by the fast-in- 

 creasing daylight, flowing tide, and certain assistance as to 

 their whereabouts by cannibalistic seagulls, few are seldom 

 lost. 



The daylight shoot here described clearly indicates the 

 advantages of an experienced over an inexperienced hand. To 

 quote an example. Two amateurs started single-handed from 

 the same place, on the same estuary, three consecutive 

 mornings, with equal opportunities, one securing 115 fowl 

 and about 140 waders, whilst the other got three fowl and a 

 score of waders. The unsuccessful one created more noise 

 and disturbance than his more experienced brother gunner, 

 as the latter, would refuse to lay at an indifferent chance, 

 whilst the latter, in an excited manner, blazed away at every- 

 thing that offered. 



Mid -day hours are generally employed when mornings 

 have, from various causes, proved impracticable or ineffective, 

 and one has then to be satisfied with the smaller " trips," it 

 being quite out of the question to disturb a big flock, for, 

 unless they are fresh arrivals, or have been punished by stress 

 of weather, they will not allow your punt, or any other craft, 

 to approach within a quarter of a mile, the main body always 

 being timely warned by their videttes. In the early morn, 

 widgeon (smee, as the professionals call them) are the chief 

 birds for the gunner, but in the daytime all kinds of fowl that 

 seem quietly disposed may receive your attentions, and these 

 failing, you have recourse to whaup, whimbrel, plover, or 

 whatever offers. 



Thirdly, there is the evening shoot, which is nearly always 

 unsatisfactory, and seldom indulged in unless the preceding 

 day has been unfortunate in bringing sport ; but one is now 



