142 BROADLAND SPORT 



five-mile, six-mile, and seven-mile houses behind, we come to 

 Stokesby Ferry, a group of tumbled-down cottages erected 

 upon the banks of the river in picturesque confusion, attractive 

 to the artist but to no one else. Next comes " Muckfleet," a 

 grown-up dyke only kept open by the water running from 

 Ormesby and Filby Broads, which stretches of water have 

 much to attract the angler, but the shooting on both is 

 strictly preserved. This dyke is four miles in length and 

 navigable to a dinghy. He who is venturous enough to row 

 up it will require much refreshment and many rests, the way 

 being laboursome and difficult, 



Turning, a point of the winding stream Acle is before us, 

 and we lay-to within a hundred yards of the ancient stone 

 bridge. 



This stretch of the river from Acle to Yarmouth has little 

 to attract the sportsman. Occasionally an odd fowl may 

 be met with in the river, but on account of the traffic this is 

 a rare occurrence. The rands are not sufficiently attractive 

 to snipe, although they are to be met with. Ruffs, reeves, 

 sandpipers and stints now and again visit the waterway, 

 but lapwings are at all times passing and re-passing there- 

 over. 



Many a weary hour has the author spent navigating this 

 stream in the hope of obtaining sport with the gun, but never 

 yet has he been successful in marking in his register a red 

 letter day. Should there be a marsh close to the river with a 

 bright spot on it (in other words, an overflow of water) with- 

 out there being others similarly covered within a considerable 

 distance, the flight shooter may anticipate an hour's good 

 shooting when the evening draws to a close, as peewits love 

 these places which are most attractive to them at sundown. 

 As a stand for this sport it is best to select a gateway, where, 

 by crouching down as near to the gate-post as possible, the 

 birds are unable to distinguish the outline of the flighter ; but 

 he will have his work cut out in making a bag, more 

 especially if there happens to be a bit of a breeze blowing at 

 the time. 



